224 ELECTED MPS SWORN IN FOR THE 14TH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
By Jessie Kalambo
The swearing in ceremony of newly elected Members of Parliament for the 14th National Assembly has been successfully completed with 114 legislators taking the Oath of Affirmation of Office today.
This brings the total number of elected MPs sworn in to 224, following the 110 who took their oaths yesterday.
From the total 226 constituencies, two parliamentary seats remain vacant and are yet to be filled following the postponement of their respective elections.
The Lumezi North election was postponed following the death of Tonse Pamodzi Alliance/NRPUP candidate Clement Mwale who died shortly before the August 13th General Election.
In Mandevu Constituency, a fresh parliamentary election is expected following a security incident during the aggregation of National Assembly election results.
Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti says the swearing in exercise will resume for members to be nominated under the proportional representation system and those to be nominated by the President in line with the Constitution.
Meanwhile, Lundazi Member of Parliament Brenda Nyirenda has appealed to President Hakainde Hichilema to prioritize women in appointments to seats reserved under proportional representation, as well as those allocated to the youth.
Ms. Nyirenda emphasizes that giving priority to women will help increase female representation in Parliament.