MPs RETAIN INDEPENDENT SEATS AFTER PARTY DISSOLVES - LUBINDA

GIVEN Lubinda says as a seasoned former Parliamentarian, he is fully aware and conversant with the provisions of the Constitution that once a political party has been dissolved, its Members of Parliament shall retain their seats as Independent lawmakers.

Mr Lubinda says the story in the Daily Nation headlined; ‘PF deregistration may trigger early elections’ was erroneously attributed to him and should therefore be ignored.

In a short statement to the Daily Nation yesterday, Mr Lubinda said Article 72 (9) of the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia deals with the vacation of office as Member of Parliament and dissolution of political party and states.

He said Article 72 (9) of the Constitution stated thus; “If a political party is dissolved, a Member of Parliament shall retain the member’s seat as an independent member.”

“This serves to inform the media and the general public that the story appearing in today’s Daily Nation newspaper headed: “PF DEREGISTRATION MAY TRIGGER EARLY ELECTIONS - LUBINDA” has erroneously been attributed to me and must totally be ignored. I never gave any statement to Daily Nation concerning the captioned subject matter.”

“As a seasoned former lawmaker who participated in the 2016 Constitutional Amendments, I am fully conversant with the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia with regards the fate of Members of Parliament in the event of the dissolution of the political party that sponsored their election” Mr Lubinda said.

Article 72 (9) of the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia deals with the vacation of office as Member of Parliament and dissolution of political party and states thus; “If a political party is dissolved, a Member of Parliament shall retain the member’s seat as an independent member,” Mr Lubinda said.