Con Court premises closed as Mundubile 7-day election petition deadline ends

14 Views As the political situation in Zambia remains tense with it seems opposition presidential candidate Brian Muntayalwa Mundubile who is expected to contest the presidential election results and the way the electoral process was handled may not be able to do so. Mundubile now has less than 24 hours left to lodge his petition, […]

14 Views

As the political situation in Zambia remains tense with it seems opposition presidential candidate Brian Muntayalwa Mundubile who is expected to contest the presidential election results and the way the electoral process was handled may not be able to do so.

Mundubile now has less than 24 hours left to lodge his petition, however, the Constitutional Court premises has been shut down “for security reasons.”

Staff have been told not to come to work, and members of the security forces are reportedly stationed around the courts.

As noted by some critics these actions are effectively stopping Mundubile and his legal team from submitting their challenge within the time frame set by law.

They maintain that the shutting down and placing soldiers at the courts in the final hours for filing an election petition undermines Zambia’s claims to democratic governance.

A memorandum dated August 24, 2026 and reportedly issued by Chief Administrator Nalishiebo Imataa was circulated to staff and copied to senior judicial officials, including the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice, President and Deputy President of the Constitutional Court, and the Judge President of the Court of Appeal.

“For security reasons, all Members of Staff are advised not to report for work today,” the memo stated, adding that further guidance would be given once the situation was contained.

The closure of Judiciary premises is said to be unprecedented in present-day Zambia and has raised questions over its timing, coming as Mundubile prepares to pursue his election petition.

Earlier on, the We Are One Zambia Alliance, a member of the Tonse Alliance, had expressed optimism that a petition challenging the declaration of the August 13 presidential election results will be filed by close of business today.

Speaking to _Hot FM News_, WOZA Secretary General Muhabi Lungu said all alliance members had agreed to challenge the electoral outcome over alleged irregularities involving the security, transportation and handling of ballot papers and other electoral materials.

Lungu also alleged discrepancies between votes recorded at polling stations and figures later announced.

He said documents were being prepared to ensure the petition, affidavit and Heads of Argument are filed within the stipulated seven-day period after the announcement of results.

President-elect Hichilema was declared winner last Monday, and according to the law, any petition challenging his election should be filed within seven days from that day.

Apparently, with the court premises closed it remains to be seen if Mundubile will be able to lodge in his petition, only time will tell.