Catherine Namugala
The United Party for National Development (UPND) has chosen not to field a candidate for Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.
In a telephone interview with Zambian Eye, UPND Secretary General Stephen Katuka said the opposition party will not participate in what he termed an academic exercise being sponsored by the ruling PF.
“We are not fielding in the Deputy Speaker candidate, I mean how do you file in when you know the PF will cripple the whole process? We won’t participate in an academic process,” Katuka said.
When asked if UPND therefore will back MMD’s Catherine Namugala, Katuka said UPND will not say anything on Namigala as she is PF.
Twelveth session of the National Assembly is holding it’s maiden session today and expected to have elections of the Speaker and two deputies.
The Ruling Patriotic Fronnt has proposed incumbent Justice Dr Patrick Matibini to be re-elected as Speaker. Matibini who was first elected as Speaker in 2011 was High Court Judge until his election to National Assembly.
PF has also proposed MMD’s Catherine Namugala as First Deputy Speaker and PF’s Mfuwe Member of Parliament Mwimba Malama as Second Deputy Speaker.
The UPND and the MMD have supported the candidature of Dr Matibini as Speaker.