Copperbelt PF wants 50+1 clause out
JUSTICE Minister Given Lubinda should push for the removal of the 50 +1 and amendment of some of the contentious issues in the republican constitution which can cause anarchy in the country during election time, says Patriotic Front (PF) Copperbelt Information and publicity secretary Kelvin Sinyangwe.
Mr Sinyangwe said the call by the PF on the Copperbelt to remove the 50+1 and amendment of some of the contentious issues in the republican constitution, was in the interest of the nation and should not be misunderstood that the party was incapable of scoring the 50+1 during election time.
Mr Sinyangwe said in an interview that the republican constitution had a number of contentious issues which Members of Parliament (MPs) should amend in the interest of the nation.
"The republican constitution has a number of contentious issues which MPs should amend in the interest of the nation. This is why we are asking Justice Minister Given Lubinda to push for the removal of the 50 +1 and amendment of some contentious issues in the constitution.
"We know that this issue will ignite debate, but the fact is that if left as it it, some contentious issues in the constitution can lead to anarchy. As PF, we are not scared of the 50+1, but we want it to be removed in the interest of the nation," Mr Sinyangwe said.
He also said the PF was grateful that President Edgar Lungu signed the republican constitution according to the way it was given to him, an indication that he was a democrat who was ready to give the people what they wanted.
"President Lungu was given to sign a document which the MPs had presented to him and he signed it, but after signing, some people later realised that it was not a kind of document they wanted
"So they are demanding amendments to the constitution. The good thing is that he did not change the document, but signed it the way it was given to him, a true sign of a democrat," Mr Sinyangwe said.