Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti has ruled that Members of Parliament alleged to have crossed the floor are still in order to continue serving in the House due to a lack of evidence proving that they defected from their political parties.
Delivering her ruling today, Ms. Mutti said the points of order against several lawmakers — among them Brian Mundubile, Stephen Kapyongo, and Moses Moyo — accused of joining the ruling UPND and the Tonse Alliance, lacked sufficient evidence to sustain claims that they had abrogated Article 72 of the Constitution.
She said six MPs accused of joining the UPND denied defecting, stating they had only expressed interest in joining the party.
Ms. Mutti further said the remaining lawmakers who were accused of joining the Tonse Alliance and UPND had not responded to the Office of the Clerk, making it difficult for the House to conclude that they had crossed the floor.
She has however announced that Chanda Katotobwe has resigned as Member of Parliament after accepting adoption as presidential candidate for the Patriots for Economic Progress ahead of the August 13 general elections.
By Josphat Hamakala
