THE MAZOKA PETITION AND THE COURTS AFTER THE 2026 ELECTION — HAVE WE SEEN THIS BEFORE? Authored By; Mupishi Jones Sometimes, the best way to understand what is happening in politics today is to look back at what happened before. Let us go back to 2001.Anderson Mazoka challenged the election of Levy Mwanawasa. He argued […]

THE MAZOKA PETITION AND THE COURTS AFTER THE 2026 ELECTION — HAVE WE SEEN THIS BEFORE?

Authored By; Mupishi Jones

Sometimes, the best way to understand what is happening in politics today is to look back at what happened before.

Let us go back to 2001.
Anderson Mazoka challenged the election of Levy Mwanawasa. He argued that there were irregularities that affected the result. The case eventually went before the courts, and the petition was DISMISSED. Up to today, court decisions have continued to refer to the Mazoka v Mwanawasa case when dealing with the standard of proof required in election petitions.

That case taught Zambia one big lesson: Challenging an election is NOT a joke. You must prove it.

Now fast-forward to the just-ended 2026 elections.

We have AGAIN seen serious debate around election petitions, access to the courts and the role of the judiciary AFTER elections. Some people have raised questions about the closure or limited operation of courts during this critical period. Their question is simple: Should those who believe an election was not properly conducted have a meaningful opportunity to challenge the result?

And this is where I think we need to have an honest conversation as Zambians.

An election does NOT end simply because ECZ announces the result. There is also a LEGAL process for people who believe the election was conducted unlawfully. That is what the Constitution provides.

At the same time, filing a petition does NOT automatically mean an election was stolen. The person challenging the result still has to PROVE their case according to the law. Just like Mazoka had to.

That’s exactly why the Mazoka case remains worth remembering.

Twenty-five years later, Zambia is still asking similar questions: How much evidence is enough to overturn an election? What happens when an election result is challenged? And how confident should citizens be that the courts will ALWAYS be available to hear those disputes?

Now, before someone says, “Mupishi Jones, where do you actually stand on this election?” 😂

Let me be VERY CLEAR so that the cartel of bitter opposition does not twist my words.

For this just-ended election, HH won genuinely. Period.

He won because Zambians still believe in his leadership. He won because the opposition failed to provide clear and convincing alternative solutions, just like I warned them in 2023.

But winning genuinely does not mean we should close the door for anyone who wants to go to court. The courts must be seen to be open. The law must be bigger than politics.

That is the lesson from Mazoka in 2001, and it is the lesson for Zambia in 2026.

Mupishi Jones
Political Analyst | 30,000 Followers