Parliament has confirmed receipt of communication from Democratic Progressive Party on the appointment of Dr George Chaponda as new leader of opposition in the house.
Ian Mwenye, Assistant Clerk of Parliament responsible for Protocol and Public Relations, said the office of the speaker does not take any role in the appointment of the leader of opposition.
According to Mwenye, the leader of opposition is elected using Standing order 35 subsection 1, which states that a leader of opposition shall be elected by a party not in government- having numerical strength in parliament , at any point in time.
He said the issue of the appointment of Chaponda is currently being handled by the office of the speaker.
Meanwhile ,Chaponda has said that he has received a congratulatory message from the speaker of parliament on his appointment.
Chaponda has also disclosed that he has been invited to the business committee of parliament meeting during the week.
” It means that i have been confirmed as a leader of opposition in parliament”.
