By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA
LUANGENI Member of Parliament (MP) Charles Zulu has petitioned the Constitutional Court that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) gives a clear interpretation of what amounts to the equivalent of a grade 12 certificate.
Mr Zulu said that the announcement by ECZ that it would not accept trade certificates, degrees or any other tertiary certificates without a grade 12 certificate would have a devastating effect on the aspirations of communities to choose leaders of their choice.
The MP has cited ECZ and the Attorney General as first and second respondents in the petition.
He wants the court determine whether having regard to the Constitutional court’s judgment delivered on March 10, this year, the pronouncement by the ECZ was in breach of the constitution.
According to the MP stated that the ECZ insisted that a grade 12 certificate or its equivalent was the minimum academy qualification required for a candidate.
He wants the court to determine whether ECZ should make a blanket interpretation as to what amounts to the equivalent of a grade 12 certificate or that no tertiary qualification could at all be equivalent to the grade 12 certificate.
In an affidavit in support of originating summons filed yesterday , Mr Zulu stated that he has served as MP for the Luangeni constituency in Eastern Province since 2011 and participated in the Constitutional amendment process that birthed the constitution of Zambia ( Amendment) Act No 2 of 2016.
He said that among the amendments effected to the Constitution was the introduction of Article 70 (1)(d) which requires a candidate for a parliamentary seat to possess , as a . minimum academic qualification, a grade 12 certificate or its equivalent .
Mr Zulu stated that the rationale for introducing the minimum academic qualification was to guide political parties to nominate people who would be able to debate effectively and make meaningful contributions in Parliament .
He stated that on March 10, this year the Constitutional court tendered its judgement in the matter of Bizwayo Newton Nkunika Vs Lawrence Nyirenda in which it made a landmark pronouncement.
The court indicated that a tertiary, vocation , craft , trade or apprenticeship certificate was lnot equivalent to a grade 12 certificate as it was not comparable in value, amount , lmeaning and functions to a grade 12 certificate.
Mr Zulu stated that seven days after that ECZ announced that it would not accept trade certificate or diploma or university l degrees separately without a grade 12 certificate from aspiring cabdidates
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