New hearing in Lusaka Mayoral election petition set

The Tribunal on Local Government Elections has dismissed applications on two preliminary issues on a Mayoral petition where National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) candidate Gabriel Kibombwe petitioned the election and declaration of United Party for…

The Tribunal on Local Government Elections has dismissed applications on two preliminary issues on a Mayoral petition where National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) candidate Gabriel Kibombwe petitioned the election and declaration of United Party for National Development (UPND) Mwewa Chitambala as Mayor of Lusaka, in the August 2026 general elections.

The matter was brought before the Tribunal yesterday for submissions on preliminary issues and a ruling.

Ruling was passed today by the Local Government Elections Tribunal comprised of 3 members chaired by Dominic Makalicha.

The Tribunal indicated that the preliminary issues on which the ruling was made, include  the petition being filed late after the general elections and that the petition Affidavit was filed without the facts to rely on and also the manner in which the petition was served was not correct.

Responding to the manner in which the petition was served, the Tribunal said that the Respondent went ahead and responded when the petition was submitted through his Personal Assistant.

The Tribunal added that the Respondent who in this case is Mwewa Chitambala has the right to be served personally.

The Tribunal has since dismissed the application by Mr Mwewa to dismiss the petition and has ordered that in the interest of Justice, a new petition be heard and determined on its merits.

The Tribunal has set Saturday, September 19th, 2026, for the hearing of the new petition.

All the parties have indicated that witnesses will be called.