Zambia is on edge after courts nationwide were controversially closed ahead of Monday’s deadline for main opposition leader to file a petition challenging the presidential election outcome.
Court premises in Lusaka and other parts of Zambia, including the High Court and Supreme Court, were sealed off on Monday with police tape and guarded by heavily armed personnel.
Lawyers arriving to file cases were turned away, resulting in opposition candidate Brian Mundubile failing to lodge a petition contesting the result of elections held on 13 August.
Mundubile, who secured 38 percent of the vote against President Hakainde Hichilema’s 60 percent, has vowed to petition the Constitutional Court citing irregularities in the conduct of the poll and vote counting.
Under Article 103(1) of the Constitution, petitions must be filed within seven days of the declaration of results, a period that expired Monday.
The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) condemned the closures, warning they undermine access to justice and risk prejudicing constitutional rights.
“It is, therefore, imperative that the judiciary immediately clarify the arrangements in place to ensure that no person is prejudiced in exercising a constitutional or statutory right by reason of the closure, including any applicable filing deadline,” LAZ president Arnold Kaluba said.
He urged the judiciary to restore operations, establish alternative filing arrangements and clarify the legal basis for the shutdown.
The closures come amid political tension, with Mundubile reportedly in hiding after threats and the opposition camp fracturing over whether to pursue a legal challenge.
Hichilema’s inauguration is scheduled for 1 September.
JN/APA