Zambia fails to elect speaker

The new parliament is now paralysed

By Richard Lee in Lusaka

Zambia's parliament has failed to elect a new speaker, signalling a further deterioration in relations between the opposition and the governing Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD).

The opposition refused to take part in a secret ballot

The combined opposition enjoys a slim, four-seat majority in the assembly and had intended to elect their own candidate to the powerful post.

But there was no vote on Friday and parliament was adjourned indefinitely after the opposition objected to the use of a secret ballot amid chaotic scenes that nearly degenerated into violence.

The opposition alleges that a secret ballot - which has never been used in the 37 years since independence - was intended to ensure victory for the MMD candidate.

The issue is now going to the courts, which are set to become the key battleground in the country's escalating political crisis.

Parliament paralysis

The Supreme Court is currently considering three opposition petitions relating to the disputed presidential election.

The High Court is expecting a deluge of complaints about the parliamentary polls in the coming week.

And now the High Court is also going to have to rule on the controversy surrounding the election of a new speaker, which is threatening to paralyse parliament altogether.

At one stage on Friday, security officials were called into the chamber to prevent the shouting match from degenerating into violence.

An unidentified opposition legislator even threw a bottle of water across the floor during the uproar.

The chaos came a day after the opposition accused the government of pressurising the clerk of the assembly - Mwelwa Chibesakunda - into proposing the secret ballot.

There were also allegations that he was pressured into holding the session behind closed doors, another unprecedented move.

Judicial review

The various opposition parties had been planning to vote en masse for their candidate, Frederick Hapunda, who was to run against incumbent Amusa Mwana-mwambwa.

But opposition MPs refused the secret ballot, fearing that such a procedure would allow the MMD to buy off individual votes, safe in the knowledge that identities would remain anonymous.

They even shouted down Vice-President Enock Kavindele, when he rose to speak.

The clerk then announced he would take the matter to the High Court for judicial review, parliament was adjourned indefinitely without a speaker.

The schedule swearing-in ceremony of MPs also did not take place.

It is not clear when the issue will be considered by the High Court.

But Dipak Patel of the opposition FDD has already said that if the judgement goes against them, the opposition could appeal to the Supreme Court.

That would further delay the resumption of parliamentary activity. And with the budget due to be debated towards the end of next month, that could precipitate a serious political and constitutional crisis.