28

No. 2 of 2016]

Petition of
election of
Member of
Parliament

Constitution of Zambia (Amendment)

73. (1) A person may file an election petition with the High
Court to challenge the election of a Member of Parliament.
(2) An election petition shall be heard within ninety days of the
filing of the petition.
(3) A person may appeal against the decision of the High Court
to the Constitutional Court.
(4) A Member of Parliament whose election is petitioned shall
hold the seat in the National Assembly pending the determination
of the election petition.

Leader of
Government
Business and
Leader of
Opposition

74. (1) The President shall appoint the Vice-President to be
the Leader of Government Business in the National Assembly.
(2) The opposition political party with the largest number of
seats in the National Assembly shall elect a Leader of the Opposition
from amongst the Members of Parliament who are from the
opposition.
Proceedings of National Assembly

Sittings of
National
Assembly

75. (1) The Speaker shall, within thirty days after a general
election, by notice in the Gazette, appoint a date for the first sitting
of the National Assembly for that term.
(2) There shall be at least three sittings of the National Assembly
in a session of Parliament which shall be held at such times and on
such days as the Speaker appoints.
(3) Notwithstanding clause (2), the President, or two-thirds of
the Members of Parliament, may, in writing, request the Speaker to
summon a sitting of the National Assembly, as prescribed.

Freedom of
speech,
powers,
privileges
and
immunities

76. (1) A Member of Parliament has freedom of speech and
debate in the National Assembly and that freedom shall not be
ousted or questioned in a court or tribunal.
(2) A Member of Parliament shall have the powers, privileges
and immunities, as prescribed.

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