Zambia

National Assembly

Political system
Presidential-Parliamentary
Structure of parliament
Unicameral
IPU membership
Yes

Oversight

Oversight tools

Parliament/Chamber has the power to summon members of the government
Yes

Sources: The National Assembly Powers and Privileges Act, Chapter 12 of the Laws of Zambia

Parliament/chamber has the power to summon senior government officials
Yes

Sources: Constitution

Parliament has the power to approve key government appointments
Yes

Sources:

Constitution, art. 95

Over 100 Presidential appointments are ratified (approved) by the National Assembly

Parliament/chamber has the power to approve key government appointments
Yes
Number of written questions asked, per year
395
(2022)
Number of written questions answered by the government, per year
371
(2022)
Percentage of written questions answered by the government, per year
93.9%
(2022)
Parliament/chamber has power to carry out inquiries
Yes

Sources: Constitution, art. 80

Number of parliamentary inquiries, per year
1
(2022)

Notes: Totals are based on inquiries made by various Parliamentary Committees on various issues.

Head of State and/or Government

Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of Government
Parliament does not play a role

Sources: Constitution, Art. 47(1) and 101

The Head of Government is also the Head of State
Yes
Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of State
Parliament does not play a role

Sources: Constitution, Art. 47(1) and 101

Impeachment and confidence motions

Parliament is automatically dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted
Not applicable

Impeachment procedure

There is a procedure for parliament to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution
The Head of Government
The Head of State
Other

Notes:

Speaker, Deputy-Speaker and Clerk of the National Assembly

Article 270 of the Constitution notes that the power to appoint also imbues the power to remove, thus this would apply to any appointment made by the National Assembly.

Sources: Constitution, art. 83, 84(5), 87, 108, and 270

No confidence processes

There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution
Individual members of the Executive
Other

Notes: Article 87 provides for the Censure of individual Members of the Executive.

Sources: Constitution, art. 87

Historical data for IPU membership

Historical data for IPU membership
Year IPU membership
2020-09
List of values for 2020-09
No
2019-04
List of values for 2019-04
No
2018-06
List of values for 2018-06
No