By Nelson Zulu/Joseph Kaputula
The Alliance for Community Action -ACA- says President Hakainde Hichilema’s comments about four former members of parliament who voted against bill 7 have raised serious concerns about the independence of the legislature and the separation of powers in Zambia.
President Hichilema yesterday in Solwezi disclosed that former members of parliament Gary Nkombo, Elijah Muchima, Elias Mubanga and Newton Samakayi voted against Bill 7 and later fell out with the ruling party.
Speaking in an interview with Phoenix News, ACA Executive Director Jimmy Maliseni says members of parliament owe their primary loyalty to the citizens who elect them and not to the executive.
Mr. Maliseni says the President’s remarks appear to suggest that members of parliament are expected to align their decisions with the executive, a position he says reinforces concerns about the lack of a clear separation of powers.
He says while political parties are entitled to enforce discipline through the whip system, such mechanisms should not override the conscience, independence and judgment of individual lawmakers when deliberating on matters before the house.
Mr. Maliseni further questioned the value of elections if elected representatives are expected to prioritize party interests over the wishes of the people who voted for them.
He has described the President’s remarks as troubling, saying they risk undermining democratic principles and the independence of parliament.
Meanwhile, Advocates for Democratic Governance Foundation Executive Director Gideon Musonda says it is unfair to criticize or sideline a party member for taking a different position from the party president on a legislative matter.
Mr. Musonda says the primary responsibility of elected officials is to represent the interests of their constituents, a duty he says should take precedence over party interests.
PHOENIX NEWS
