Leader of the opposition in Parliament Brian Mundubile has expressed concern over the early adjournment of Parliament that occurred on Wednesday after the House failed to form a quorum for the first time in many years.
This followed a walk out by opposition Members of Parliament who were unhappy with the manner in which the Speaker was granting Points of Order.
The MPs on the left who indicated to raise Points of Order were ignored.
However, Local Government and Rural Development Minister Gary Nkombo was allowed to raise a Point of Order minutes after three other MPs had indicated their intentions to rise on Points of Order.
Following the walk out by MPs on the left, the Quorum collapsed.
It was, however, observed that Parliament proceeded to vote on a Motion on the Floor of the House even when there was no Quorum in the House.
This prompted Chilubi MP Mulenga Fube to raise a Point of Order bringing to the attention of the Speaker that there was no Quorum in the House.
After verification, they indeed found that there was no Quorum in the House.
Commenting on the development, Dr. Mundubile said MPs as representatives of the people of Zambia do not ask for too much by merely asking for privileges and rights that have been provided for them by Standing Orders and the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia.
Mr. Mundubile who is also PF Presidential Candidate said the privileges, rights and immunities were derived from Standing Orders and Article 77 of the Constitution of Zambia.
“What has happened today is indeed a source of concern. It is a wakeup call to Members of Parliament and indeed presiding officers that there is a way the business of the house must be conducted. Business in the house should be conducted in a manner that brings out fairness and equity. A manner that gives confidence not only to members of the house but also to the Zambian people that voted for their representatives that represent them in the house. So it is very important that members of parliament are treated with respect. There should be decorum in the house and indeed fair opportunities, fair chances and full rights and immunities should be accorded to members as is provided for under the constitution and indeed standing orders,” Mr. Mundubile said.
He observed that the collapse of proceedings had never happened in a very long time where a sitting Government failed to sustain a Quorum in the House leading to the collapse of proceedings in Parliament.
“For MPs, it is not their intention to leave the House which would result in the collapse of the Quorum,” he said.
Mr. Mundubile empathized that the MPs were simply asking for fair treatment where rules of the House were applied equitably.
“What is good for MPs on the right must also be good for MPs on the left. MPs are asking for equal opportunities to speak, raise Points of Order or debate. What has happened today is a source of concern and a wakeup call to MPs and Presiding Officers that the way the business of the House should be conducted should be in a manner that brings about fairness and equity. A manner that gives confidence not only to Members of the House but also to the Zambian people that voted for their representative that represents them in the House,” he said.
Mr. Mundubile said it was important that MPs were treated with respect, allow decorum in the House, give them fair opportunities and immunities, as provided for by Standing Orders and the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia.