Zambia Courts Seal Off Ahead of Election Petition Deadline

Sun Sep 06 2026 01:31:09 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

With the one‑day deadline to file an election challenge looming, courts in Lusaka and elsewhere have been closed, while the new president’s inauguration remains on track.

The Zambian courts in Lusaka and across the country have been sealed off as the deadline to file a petition against the presidential election results approaches. The unusual police presence and tape barriers have forced lawyers to leave the premises on Monday, the last day to file complaints. Opposition candidate Brian Mundubile, who came second with 38 % of the vote, is planning to challenge the 60 % victory claimed by incumbent Hakainde Hichilema and is currently hidden under protection. Despite the closure, preparations for Hichilema’s inauguration on 1 September continue, with media invited to review arrangements at the National Heroes Stadium. The situation follows a period of controversy, with the death of an opposition figure and a series of arrests highlighting tensions over the electoral process.

Zambia Courts Seal Off Ahead of Election Petition Deadline

Law courts in Zambia’s capital Lusaka and elsewhere have been sealed off with tape and a heavy police presence as the deadline to file an election petition approaches. The High Court, Supreme Court, and several local courts are currently inaccessible to lawyers and journalists.

Opposition candidate Brian Mundubile, who finished second in the August 13 presidential vote with 38 % of the vote, has declared plans to take the matter to court. He remains hidden under the protection of what his campaign calls an “international human rights body” amid threats and the recent death of former minister Mutotwe Kafwaya.

The petitioner’s deadline is this Monday – the final day to file a challenge that could potentially alter the scheduled inauguration of incumbent Hakainde Hichilema on September 1. Law authorities have reported that lawyers arriving at the courts were asked to leave, and in one incident an armed trio approached a vehicle and demanded the vehicle’s departure.

Despite the legal crackdown, preparations for the inauguration continue with the Youth and Sports Ministry inviting media to inspect arrangements at the National Heroes Stadium.

The election day itself was deemed largely peaceful by regional and international observers, yet concerns over late electoral reforms, media freedom, and alleged intimidation remained. The European Union mission highlighted uneven contesting, a heavy military presence at tallying centres and the lack of separate polling‑station results.

Amnesty International and the Zambia Law Association have called for a timely and thorough investigation into Kafwaya’s killing and the subsequent arrests, underscoring the importance of an independent inquiry into the post‑election unrest.