Parliament, not Tiktok, is the place for debate-Speaker

Speaker of the National Assembly, Nelly Mutti, has expressed concern over some Members of Parliament (MPs) who choose to debate national issues on social media rather than actively participating in parliamentary proceedings.

Speaking during the National Assembly Media breakfast, Ms. Mutti specifically pointed out that certain MPs had taken to TikTok and the press to claim that presiding officers were dictating the constitutional amendment process, an allegation she strongly refuted.

Ms. Mutti has clarified that the constitutional amendment process follows a structured approach.

She has explained that the executive initiates the proposed amendments after conducting its own consultations before presenting them to Parliament, and that once in the House, the amendments are subjected to parliamentary procedures, independent of executive influence.

“There is no way the executive can dictate how Parliament conducts its proceedings. Our rules are clear, and Parliament operates based on established practices and procedures,” she said.

Ms. Mutti has emphasized that Parliament’s proceedings are broadcast live, allowing Zambians to witness firsthand whether presiding officers are conducting business fairly.

She has urged MPs to utilize official debate platforms instead of misleading the public through press briefings and social media posts.

And Ms. Mutti has also addressed concerns about MPs being guided during debates, stating that discussions must remain relevant to the subject under consideration.

“If we are debating a motion on children’s welfare, a Member of Parliament cannot suddenly start talking about roads. Our rules require that debates remain relevant to the issue at hand,” she explained.

Furthermore, Ms. Muti has stressed that MPs are allocated specific time slots to debate and must stay within those limits while ensuring their contributions are relevant.

She has defended the role of presiding officers in maintaining order, noting that guiding MPs back to the topic does not equate to stifling debate.

The Speaker has reminded Members of Parliament and the public that constitutional amendments fall under the mandate of Parliament as outlined in Article 79 of the Constitution.

Protected clauses, such as the Bill of Rights and Article 79 itself, require a national referendum for any amendments.

She has reiterated the importance of the principle of separation of powers, stating that while the executive and Parliament have distinct roles, they must complement each other rather than compete.

“We are not in competition; we are working together to safeguard the interests of the Zambian people. MPs must take their oversight role seriously rather than engaging in misinformation,” she said.

Ms. Mutti has also called on the public to engage with Parliament constructively, in line with its motto of "Bringing Parliament Closer to the People. 

She has assured that the House remains open to public scrutiny and correction when necessary.

However, Ms. Mutti has cautioned against baseless accusations of bias, emphasizing that parliamentary procedures exist to ensure order, transparency, and democratic governance.

Ms. Mutti has dismissed claims that MPs are prevented from debating, stating that presiding officers merely ensure that discussions remain relevant and within parliamentary guidelines.

Ms. Mutti has since urged MPs to embrace their legislative responsibilities fully, warning that failure to do so would mean neglecting their duty to represent and protect the interests of the Zambian people.

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