Claim checked:
The de-registration of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)by the Registrar of societies means that the party’s Roan parliamentary seat held by Mr Joseph Chishala becomes vacant leading to an upcoming by-election in the said Roan Constituency.
Following the announcement of the deregistration of the National Democratic Congress, (NDC) by the Registrar of Societies on August 26 2019, multiple claims were made by members of the general public on social media that a by-election would be held in Roan Constituency as the party’s MP would have to vacate this seat. The Alliance for Community Action (ACA) Fact Checking Unit verified these claims that further suggested that public resources would be wasted on a 2nd by-election within a few months in the constituency. Hon Chishala won a by-election on April 11th 2019 caused by the expulsion of the previous holder of the seat, Mr Chishimba Kambwili, from the Patriotic Front.
Verification Process
The ACA Fact Checking Unit looked at the provision in the Republican Constitution for the dissolution of a political party that holds seats in Parliament – Article 72 Section 9 of the Constitution of Zambia. The provision reads: If a political party is dissolved, a Member of Parliament shall retain the member’s seat as an independent member.
FINDING
The ACA Fact Checking Unit finds that the claim that the de-registration of the National Democratic Congress will cause a by-election in the Roan Constituency to be FALSE. Mr Joseph Chishala remains an Independent Member of Parliament.
ACA Fact Checking Unit: Building a questioning public.
The ACA Fact-checking Unit is part of the European Union-funded Ask-Project’ implemented in collaboration with Caritas Zambia.