Zambia’s parliament has declared the parliamentary seat of Tasila Lungu, daughter of the late former President Edgar Lungu, as vacant due to her continued absence following her father’s death. Tasila Lungu had represented the Chawama constituency in Lusaka for the opposition Patriotic Front. In a communication to her constituents, she indicated a potential challenge to the decision, stating, “where there is a will there is a way.”
Edgar Lungu passed away at the age of 68 in South Africa while seeking medical treatment in June. His death led to a legal dispute with his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema, over the repatriation of his body for a state funeral, which the family did not support. Currently, the remains of the former president remain in South Africa amid ongoing discussions.
The ruling United Party for National Development initiated the action regarding Ms. Lungu’s parliamentary seat, raising concerns about her qualifications due to her prolonged absence. Initially, Speaker Nelly Mutti granted her a 14-day compassionate leave to mourn and return to parliament in September. However, Ms. Lungu did not resume her duties and instead requested additional time until the resolution of her family’s legal case regarding burial arrangements.
Parliament later referred the matter to a committee on privileges and absences, which invited Ms. Lungu for discussions but noted her absence from those meetings as well. The committee suggested allowing her to represent her vote online, a proposal that was ultimately rejected by the Speaker on the grounds that virtual participation could not adequately substitute for physical representation.
Elections to fill the vacant seat are anticipated within 90 days, even as Zambia is scheduled for general elections next August. The decision to declare the seat vacant has elicited a range of reactions, with some emphasizing the need for time to mourn while others raise concerns about lack of representation for her constituents. Independent MP Binwell Mpundu criticized the government’s actions as hypocritical, questioning how they could claim to support the Lungu family while also taking legal action against them.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3e015p1jwvo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss