The speaker of Zambia’s National Assembly on Wednesday issued a stern warning to the public not to interfere in parliamentary proceedings.
The warning followed the publication by the Oasis Forum, a powerful alliance of civil society organisations and church groups, of the names of lawmakers who voted down a citizen’s petition calling for a new Constitution.
The forum, which has campaigned widely for a new republican Constitution ahead of general elections in 2006, broadcast a ”shame list” of MPs who opposed the petition.
Speaker of Parliament Amusa Mwanamwambwa said MPs must not ”open doors to outsiders” to interfere with their freedom of expression or interfere with their parliamentary immunity.
But Oasis Forum spokesperson, Japhet Ndhlovu, said Parliament belonged to the people who should be allowed to express their dissatisfaction with their elected representatives.
”The public is entitled to know how their business is being debated and Parliament is the people’s last beacon of hope.”
The forum has accused President Levy Mwanawasa’s government of lacking the political will to enact a new Constitution.
Earlier this month, the government rejected a new constitutional draft submitted by the president-appointed Constitution Review Commission, saying it was defective and divisive.
The government said recommendations in the draft, if adopted, would lead to political instability, and called for a re-draft.
Most of recommendations, gathered over a three-year period, weighed heavily against the ruling party and cut executive powers. – Sapa-DPA