Zambia Courts Shut as Presidential Election Challenge Deadline Expires
By TUW
Zambia’s political tensions have deepened after courts across the country were closed on Monday, August 24, the final day for opposition presidential candidate Brian Mundubile to formally challenge the outcome of the August 13 election.
The closure has affected key judicial facilities in Lusaka, including the High Court and Constitutional Court, with police deployed around some court buildings and access restricted. Similar reports have emerged from High Court facilities in Ndola, Chipata and Livingstone.
The development comes as Mundubile seeks to overturn President Hakainde Hichilema’s re-election, alleging serious irregularities in the handling, counting, transmission and declaration of votes. Reuters reported that Mundubile had announced his intention to pursue a legal challenge after the Electoral Commission declared Hichilema the winner.
Hichilema secured about 60% of the vote, while Mundubile received approximately 38%, according to the Electoral Commission’s announced results.
The opposition candidate’s planned court action comes against the backdrop of heightened security tensions following the election. Mundubile has reportedly gone into hiding after security forces arrested several people linked to his political camp. Former cabinet minister and opposition figure Mutotwe Kafwaya was also killed during a security operation in Lusaka on August 14. Authorities said the operation followed intelligence concerning individuals suspected of posing a national-security threat, while opposition figures have disputed the government’s account.
The post-election environment has attracted international concern. The European Union’s election observation mission said election day was generally calm and voting was conducted efficiently, but highlighted restrictions on campaigning and advantages enjoyed by the incumbent that contributed to an uneven playing field. The EU also raised concerns over serious incidents and procedural irregularities during the counting and tabulation of results, saying they affected transparency and credibility.
The Electoral Commission had temporarily suspended the counting and announcement of results on August 14 following reports of violence against election officials and alleged theft of ballot papers. The EU observation mission subsequently reported that the quality and transparency of the tabulation process deteriorated after counting resumed.
With the legal deadline now expiring, attention is focused on whether Mundubile will succeed in filing his petition despite the reported closure of courts. The situation has raised fresh questions about access to justice and the handling of electoral disputes in the aftermath of a closely watched election.
Hichilema is expected to begin his second term with his inauguration scheduled for September 1, while Zambia now faces pressure to resolve the electoral dispute through constitutional and legal channels.
