Opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) President George Mpombo says it will be wastage of taxpayers’ money to increase the number of constituencies in the country.
Reacting to the proposal by the Electoral Commission of Zambia to increase the number of parliamentary seats from the current 150 to 235 in view of the creation of new districts in the country, Dr Mpombo says such an undertaking is costly and tall order.
Dr. Mpombo has told Qfm News in an interview that his party’s disagreement with the ECZ over its proposal is also based on the fact that space in the Parliament building is too small to accommodate such a number of lawmakers, unless there are plans of expanding the House.
Dr. Mpombo says he is also of the view that most of the newly created Districts in the country are none functional and that spending taxpayers’ money on increasing the number of constituencies will be as bad as putting money in a dry hole.
But the opposition Alliance has described as timely the proposal by the ECZ to increase the number of constituencies in the country.
Alliance Coordinator Frank Bwalya has told Qfm News in a separate interview that this is because people have been complaining of walking long distances to access polling stations during elections and the challenge that Members of Parliament have to meet people in their vast constituencies.
Fr. Bwalya however says there is need for people in the country to look at the cost implication of increasing the number of constituencies in the country.
These are maneuvers to increase MPs from Northern region. Especially in Muchinga, Luapulaand Northern provinces which is the strong hold for PF
The reasons advanced by the ECZ are very valid.
Besides its one way of taking power closer to the people which is in line with decentralization policy of the PF govt
That’s why na kwacha ileponena,unplanned expenditure.Spot on ba Mpombo
Dr Mpombo, is refusing to think particularly on this issue, more MPs will result in better attention to the peoples needs. This will also mean that more funding for projects
The primary job of MPs is to legislate not to take development in the area. Having more constituencies will not result into increased development. In any case, an MP should work closely with his or her councillors. That’s why the unilateral creation of districts by Preseident Sata was wrong, the President needed to consult widely and stakeholders like ECZ should have had an input.
Look at the population of Zambia Ba Mpombo. It has increased from time of independence. Why having the same number of constituencies. I thought you are leaner ed enough to see the end of the line. Then your English is not real. Ba father nabo just set on other parties programmes why can’t you set on your own.Tax payers money needs to be used and if you do not use it who will. Even you when you come into power ( l don’t know when ) will use this same money so just shut up.
Firstly look at what the current MPs are doing. Are they doing enough. Is having fewer MPs better than what we have today so is increasing MPs the solution. MPs today are just a waste of time and resources. May be I can say we are just following the constitution. not that they do anything meaningful at all. Uku ekubuta ( Our parliament is just a toy)
This Doctorate for Mr. Mpombo, is honorary? or he studied for it?
Negotiations can now begin in ernest. What the correct number of constituencies ought to be must be arrived at scientifcally. Isolate all the variables. Definitely, a district is one such variable. Other variables include demography, economy and budgetary capacities.
Wasted money on people is well spent , if you have money and people are not partakers what is the issue , it is about people not about money in thecoffers
‘But the opposition Alliance has described as timely the proposal by the ECZ to increase the number of constituencies in the country’. I disagree with Father Bwalya. You are not a Tax payer. These MPs do very little and get billions for nothing. We are failing to fulfill and fund few projects and Mambilima wakes up to make such a weird proposal. This is madness. Zambia has no money at the moment to start thinking of having 75 more MPs to fatten their stomachs while civil servants after working for so many years cannot get their pension money on time. Shaa! Meanwhile these MPs have already I believe collected or stolen their Mid Term LOOT. Thieves!