UPND IN CONSULTATIONS ON SPEAKER, DEPUTY SPEAKER?

The United Party for National Development (UPND) has disclosed that it is in consultation with other political parties with representation in Parliament on how best they will work together when electing the next Speaker and Deputy Speaker of National Assembly.

UPND Spokesperson Charles Kakoma told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that consultations have reached an advanced stage with the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), Alliance for  Democracy and Development, Forum for Democracy and Development including the ruling Patriotic Front (PF).

Mr. Kakoma told ZANIS that as soon as the parties involved in the discussions conclude, the nation would be informed on the way forward.

He said the discussions also involves some independent Members of Parliament and further hinted that the next parliament will be unique in the sense that there was no dominant party, a thing he described as commendable.

But MMD Deputy National Secretary Chembe Nyangu said he was not aware about the purported discussions among opposition political parties.

Mr. Nyangu said these were mere speculations which should be brushed aside stating that his party would only give its position when approached by other parties involved in the said discussions.

The ruling PF has 60 Members of parliament, MMD 55, the UPND  28 while FDD and ADD has one (1) each.

The House will also have three (3) independent Members of Parliament.

ZANIS