THE National Assembly has urged the Constitutional Court to dismiss a petition by Isaac Mwanza, who is seeking an interim conservatory order restraining the National Assembly and the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) from conducting the Petauke by-elections. The National Assembly has also told the court that Emmanuel Jay Banda has not shown up to challenge the decision to hold a by-election of his seat. In this matter, Mwanza has dragged the National Assembly to court, seeking a declaration that an elected MP’s seat only becomes vacant upon determination by the High Court. Mwanza, who has also cited the Attorney General as the second respondent in the matter, also seeks a declaration that the Speaker’s duty is limited to informing...