SPEAKER DECLARES CHILANGA SEAT VACANT

..After MP Keith Mukata was convicted

SPEAKER of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini has declared the Chilanga constituency seat vacant after its Member of Parliament Keith Mukata was convicted of murder and asked the Eelectoral Commission of Zambia to arrange a by-election.

Dr Matibini has written to the chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to organise a by-election to ensure that a new representative for the people is elected.

However, leader of the opposition Jack Mwiimbu says there was no vacancy for the Chilanga seat following his appeal against both his sentence and conviction to hang until pronounced dead for the murder of his security guard.

Mr Mwiimbu, who rose on a point of order in Parliament yesterday, wondered whether the office of the Speaker was in order to give the ECZ judicial notice to prepare for a by election in Chilanga Constituency.

He said according to Article 70 (2F} the seat of an MP could only be declared among other reasons if one was convicted by the court for imprisonment of more than six months.

Mr Mwiimbu who is UPND Central MP said he was aware of some MPs whose seats had been nullified but that because they appealed to the higher courts their seats have not been declared vacant.

The opposition leader said their member should not be discriminated against.

“Madam Speaker is your office in order to give the Electoral Commission of Zambia judicial notice of a by election in Chilanga when our member Mr Mukata has appealed against both his sentence and conviction,” he asked.

First Deputy Speaker of Speaker of the National Assembly Catherine Namugala reserved her ruling on the matter.