NO PROXY VOTING IN PARLEY - KAPYANGA
…says as Parliament resumes sitting today, the madness, insanity of proxy voting being proposed will not be entertained
FRANCIS Kapyanga, the Patriotic Front (PF) Mpika Member of Parliament (MP) has strongly objected to schemes by Parliament to introduce what it has termed as “proxy voting” in the House which would give voting rights to other persons to vote on behalf of the people’s representatives in the National Assembly.
Mr Kapyanga says as Parliament resumes sitting today, the madness and insanity of proxy voting should not be tolerated because those elected had constitutional voting powers.
Giving his expectations ahead of the resumption of Parliamentary sittings today, Mr Kapyanga said only those who were elected had voting powers and no one else who people did not choose should have powers to vote.
“The madness and insane of proxy voting should not be anywhere near discussions. That is what we do not expect. Only those who have been elected by the people have voting powers and nobody else should transgress and usurp such privileged powers,” Mr Kapyanga said.
Mr Kapyanga also said it was his expectation that the House would revert to the Standing Orders which allowed MPs to debate for 20 minutes as opposed to 10 minutes which came about as a result of Covid-19.
“We expect to adopt the new standing orders which will allow us to debate for 20 minutes,” he said. Government Chief whip Stafford Mulusa and his deputy Princess Kasune did not pick up repeated calls made to them to state UPND's expectations in Parliament.
Parliament has been on recess for nearly two months.
Clerk of the National Assembly Roy Ngulube announced last week the resumption of debates today. The House adjourned sine die last year on December 15, and was characterised with drama following the removal of Leader of the Opposition Brian Mundubile after expelled Matero Member of Parliament Miles Sampa staged a "convention" where he was "elected" as PF president.
The matter is currently before the courts of law.
Mr Ngulube said the last sitting was mainly a budget meeting.