Courts in Lusaka and across Zambia have been sealed off as the deadline for filing a petition against the recent presidential election approaches. A police presence and tape barriers prevent access, raising concerns for anyone needing judicial recourse.
Opposition candidate Brian Mundubile, who finished second with 38% of the vote, announced he would challenge the result citing irregularities. He remains in hiding after threats were reportedly directed against him.
The deadline is this Monday. A petition filed between now and election day could potentially prevent Hakainde Hichilema from taking office on 1 September.
Lawyers who arrived at courts were told to leave, and armed men approached a lawyer’s vehicle and instructed him to depart the area. Armed men approached a lawyer’s vehicle, identified themselves and called him out of the vicinity.
High‑Court premises, the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Court and several local courts are among those sealed. The Law Association of Zambia has expressed concern over the closures, noting no official explanation for the situation and the immediate implications for access to justice.
Despite the court closures, preparations for Hichilema’s inauguration continue. Officials have invited newsroom teams to inspect arrangements at National Heroes Stadium, the likely venue for the ceremony.
Mundubile says he will continue to fight the result through the courts. He is currently protected by an international human rights body after he went into hiding following arrests of opposition figures and the death of former minister Mutotwe Kafwaya during a security raid in the capital. Rights groups, including Amnesty International and the Law Association of Zambia, have called for a thorough independent investigation.
The EU observation mission reported concerns about the electoral process, citing a heavy military presence, threats to some polling centres and an uneven contest despite a largely peaceful vote day. The mission called for maximal transparency and urged the electoral commission to publish separate polling‑station results.
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