ECZ Says Law Does Not Address Withdrawal of Running Mates Before Elections

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) says the country’s electoral laws do not provide for the withdrawal of a presidential running mate before a general election. The matter has come into focus following the withdrawal of Organised People’s Party (OPP) running mate Andyford…

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) says the country’s electoral laws do not provide for the withdrawal of a presidential running mate before a general election.

The matter has come into focus following the withdrawal of Organised People’s Party (OPP) running mate Andyford Banda and Citizens First running mate Moses Mawere, leaving presidential candidates Brian Mushimba and Harry Kalaba without running mates ahead of the August 13 General Election.

Speaking in an interview, ECZ Corporate Affairs Manager Patricia Luhanga said the resignation or withdrawal of a running mate does not invalidate a presidential candidate’s nomination or affect the electoral process.

Luhanga explained that while the law does not specifically address such a scenario, a presidential candidate remains validly nominated even after the withdrawal of a running mate.

She added that if such a candidate were elected President, a solution could be found after the election, including the appointment of another vice president in accordance with the law.

Meanwhile, ECZ Chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis said the Constitution only provides guidance on what happens if a Vice President vacates office after a presidential election and not when a running mate withdraws before polling day.

Zaloumis said the withdrawal of a running mate does not invalidate a presidential candidature because the law is silent on the matter.

She noted that the situation has exposed a gap in the country’s electoral legal framework, describing it as a legislative lacuna that may require future legal reforms.