PF used arrogance of numbers to pass national dialogue bill
By Staff Reporter
COSTAIN Chilikwazi says the PF government rushed to pass the national dialogue bill using the arrogance of numbers in parliament.
Chilikwazi, who is a UPND member, observed that the enactment of progressive laws required national consensus.
In a press statement, Chilikwazi stated that the PF used the arrogance of numbers in the National Assembly to pass the national dialogue bill in the early hours of Wednesday.
“It is surprising and unfortunate to note that the national dialogue bill was passed speedily. We know that the PF used the arrogance of numbers of members of parliament in the National Assembly to ensure that the national dialogue bill goes through,” Chilikwazi stated.
“Without taking into consideration the interests of the people they represent, the PF members of parliament voted on partisan lines to ensure that this bill goes through. Clearly, the Patriotic Front rushed to pass the national dialogue bill.”
He stated that members of parliament should ensure that they enacted laws that reflected the aspirations of majority Zambians.
“Some of these bills being passed in Parliament tend to backfire and the same members of parliament will end up crying foul. A typical example is the Grade 12 requirement as a minimum education level for a member of parliament, which most members of parliament complained about after it was embedded in the Republican Constitution,” stated Chilikwazi, a former Kapiri Mposhi district PF youth vice-chairman.
“It is important therefore for members of parliament to ensure that they enact laws that reflect the interests and aspirations of majority citizens. The enactment of progressive laws requires consensus from the governed and those governing the people.”
