BIGGER PARLIAMENT DOES NOT MEAN BETTER PARLIAMENT – MUSHIMBA
Organized People’s Party (OPP) president Eng. Dr. Brian Mushimba has questioned the process and standards used in the appointment of Proportional Representation (PR) Members of Parliament.
Dr Mushimba said his party had waited for the process to conclude before commenting on the newly appointed legislators, adding that the outcome had raised serious questions about the method, process and quality of representation.
He said while the inclusion of women, youths and persons with disabilities was important, it should not compromise Parliament’s independence, oversight responsibilities and quality of representation.
“Bigger Parliament does not mean better Parliament,” Dr Mushimba said.
He argued that Parliament should not be treated as a reward mechanism for political parties or a means of creating additional political positions, but should instead focus on legislation, scrutiny of public finances and holding the Executive accountable.
Dr Mushimba said the PR system required transparent selection criteria, credible standards and accountability to ensure that it delivered measurable value to taxpayers.
“We are seriously confusing representation with entitlement, political ambition and trickery,” he said.
He further criticised what he described as the expansion of Parliament without sufficient consideration of national development priorities, arguing that Zambia needed greater investment in productive sectors.
“What Zambia needed were more factories and not more MPs,” Dr Mushimba said.
He alleged that some of the appointed MPs were not adequately prepared for the responsibilities of Parliament and could contribute to strengthening Executive influence over the legislature.
“They are actually there only to entrench power into the executive,” he said.
Dr Mushimba said Zambians deserved a Parliament focused on national service and effective oversight.
“They deserve a parliament that will hold the executive accountable not a rubber stamp for the wishes of the executive,” he said.