The Maravi Post

BLANTYRE—Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) on Monday petitioned the Office of the Speaker to declare the seat of Mangochi North legislator Ibrahim Matola vacant for crossing the floor.

Other MPs who will be affected include Mangochi North East legislator Alfred Mwachumu and Shamil Asibu for Mangochi South West. The three ditched UDF to join ruling People’s Party (PP). Matola is also the minister of energy in JB’s administration.

Speaker of the House Henry Chimunthu Banda told the House the he would make his ruling on the matter today, Tuesday.

“The concerned MPs have since responded to the petitions and I will make a ruling on the same tomorrow (Tuesday) morning,” he announced Monday afternoon.

He further informed the House that Rumphi East lawmaker Albert Thindwa, who was on the government side, has also gone back to DPP and opposition side, respectively.

The Speaker also clarified that he will only make a ruling on the UDF, saying DPP’s petitions are still in the High Court in Mzuzu.

However most MPs who joined the ruling party have returned to DPP in fear of the controversial Section 65 of the Constitution, which throws out of the House parliamentarians found to have crossed the floor.

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(c) The Maravi Post 2013

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