EXPULSION OF THE NINE PF LEGISLATORS UNCONSTITUTIONAL
Dear editor, The expulsion of the nine Patriotic Front Members of Parliament by Speaker Nelly Mutti is unconstitutional. Second deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Moyo recently made the announcement. The action by Speaker Mutti is an assault on the country’s democracy and it is unacceptable.
However, it is regrettable that the United Party for National Development ( UPND) is a scheme to annihilate the former ruling Patriotic Front through illegalities. In my considered view, this should not be condoned.
Former President Edgar Lungu has vowed to mobilise people and march to State House to fight for the nine expelled legislators and force President Hakainde Hichilema to resign for the latter’s tolerance of illegalities under the New Dawn administration.
The expulsion of the nine lawmakers is not only political brutality but also the UPND’S desperation to control the legislature. What should be done is that the UPND should control the legislator in a legitimate manner.
The question begging for an answer is, “is the UPND a democratic party?” The answer is an absolute no. This is because the ruling party is suppressing the divergent views of the perceived political opponents. This should not be the case under normal circumstances.
The implication of the expulsion of the nine Members of Parliament is twofold: one, the people in the affected constituencies will lack representation in Parliament and secondly, the expulsion will culminate in the nine parliamentary by elections in the constituencies whose Members of Parliament have been expelled.
The by- elections cost a lot of money. It costs not less than K10 million to hold one by election. Zambia’s economy is not performing well and it is characterised by high cost of living.
The reality is that it is not right for the UPND to induce the by elections in order to have an upperhand in Parliament when it comes to voting. What the UPND should do is to reduce the high cost of living the country is grappling with. Expelling the opposition and independent Members of Parliament is not a priority.