Zambia's Supreme Court Prohibits Former President from Future Electoral Participation

Lusaka, December 11 (NationPress) The Constitutional Court of Zambia has decided that former President Edgar Lungu is prohibited from running in the 2026 general elections and any further elections, as he has fulfilled the constitutionally required two terms in office.

The court concluded on Monday that Lungu is not qualified to run again, having served two elected terms—initially from 2015 to 2016 and again from 2016 to 2021. In a significant ruling delivered by a panel of six judges, the court rejected Lungu's claim that his first term should not be counted as a complete term because he took over the remaining duration of the term of his late predecessor, Michael Sata, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.

Justice Arnold Shilimi, who serves as the deputy president of the Constitutional Court, stated that the cumulative interpretation of the constitution unequivocally categorized Lungu's term from January 25, 2015, to September 13, 2016, as a full term.

Nevertheless, the court also determined that Lungu was eligible to participate in the 2021 elections.

In reaction to the ruling, Lungu shared a statement on his Facebook page, labeling the decision as anticipated and accusing it of being influenced by political maneuvering. 'For months, the hands of political manipulation have, with undeniable force, steered us toward a conclusion foreseen not by the merits of reasoned argument or constitutional fidelity but by the weight of orchestrated design and political machinations,' he stated.

While acknowledging the ruling, Lungu showed his acceptance of the decision, stating that he had initiated a plan B to legally advocate for the interests of Zambians.

This ruling effectively hinders Lungu's aspirations for a political comeback following his defeat in the 2021 elections to the current president Hakainde Hichilema. Lungu had previously maintained that the Constitutional Court had already clarified his eligibility for the 2021 polls, which were the subject of a case brought before the court by a young activist seeking clarification on Lungu's future eligibility.