. Simbyakula

By JAMES KUNDA –
PARLIAMENT yesterday voted to eliminate the mixed member proportional representation clause from the Constitution of Zambia Amendment Bill number 17 of 2015, which was tabled for the committee stage.
The mixed member proportional representation clause sought to increase the number of members of Parliament (MPs) by a further 94 to the existing 158, but Justice Minister Ngosa Simbyakula proposed that the move be deferred untill further notice.
Meanwhile, the Constitution of Zambia Bill number 16 of 2015 is today expected to come up for third reading after it successfully passed the committee stage on Tuesday.
Dr Simbyakula said the proposal did not entail that the Government was doing away with the clause as it was committed to enacting a people-driven Constitution.
“Mr Chairperson, this proposal does not mean that we are totally doing away with the clause. We merely seek that its enactment be deferred or implemented at a later stage through another means such as a referendum,” he said.
Dr Simbyakula’s proposal was received with resistance from UPND members, who contended that the clause should stand to give equal opportunity to more people who wished to serve as members of the House.
But chief Government spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili said the clause was unsustainable as the Government did not have sufficient funds to sustain additional MPs in the House.
“There are so many competing needs and the fiscal space is very tight. This is the most responsible step that can be taken, hence it should be supported by all well-meaning citizens,” he said.
The clause was subjected to a vote and 110 MPs voted for it to be deferred while 39 voted against with one abstaining.
The committee stage of the Bill resumes today and would be among the final business items as the House prepares to adjourn sine die.