Zambia courts sealed off as election petition deadline looms

Court premises in Lusaka and other parts of Zambia have been sealed off as the deadline for filing a petition against the recent presidential election draws near. Police presence at several judicial buildings has been heightened, with entrances taped off to block access. Opposition candidate Brian Mundubile announced his intention to contest the result, citing alleged irregularities after finishing second with 38 % of the vote. Incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema secured a second term with 60 % of the ballots. Mundubile said he is now in hiding because of threats he claims have been made against him, a situation that follows a turbulent post‑election period marked by the shooting death of an opposition figure and the arrest of several others. Monday is the final day on which a petition challenging the presidential outcome may be submitted. A successful challenge could affect the inauguration of President Hichilema, which is set for 1 September. On that morning, lawyers who arrived at the courts were told to leave the premises. One lawyer recounted to the BBC that three armed men approached his vehicle, identified themselves and ordered him to “permission the area.” The sealed facilities include the High Court in Lusaka, the Supreme Court—which also houses the Constitutional Court—and a number of lower courts. It remains uncertain when the buildings will reopen. The BBC has reached out to the Zambian police service and the judiciary for comment. Despite the judicial restrictions, preparations for the president’s inauguration are continuing. The Ministry of Youth and Sport has issued a media invitation inviting journalists to attend a briefing on an inspection of arrangements at National Heroes Stadium, where the ceremony is expected to be held. Last week, Mundubile rejected the official election results and said he would pursue his challenge through the courts. He remains under the protection of what his campaign describes as an “international quality rights body.” He went into hiding after security forces raided a facility in the capital, leading to the arrest of several opposition figures and the death of former minister Mutotwe Kafwaya. Officials characterised the incident as an exchange of fire. The arrests and Kafwaya’s death prompted the Law Association of Zambia and various rights groups to demand an independent investigation. Amnesty International labelled the killing “deeply alarming” and urged a prompt, thorough and impartial probe. The lawyers’ association echoed that sentiment, expressing “grave concern” and calling for accountability. Local and international observers described the 13 August election as largely peaceful, but they warned that late electoral reforms, restrictions on media freedom and limited access to journalists during the campaign raised concerns. The European Union election observation mission said those limitations may have produced an “uneven contest.” Regarding the ballot‑counting process, the mission noted a heavy security presence that it described as intimidating and said it had received reports of attacks on some counting centres. It added that security personnel at many centres failed to record results on tally sheets as soon as they were announced, pointing to weak verification between digital entries and paper returns. Returning officers frequently paused proceedings while awaiting instructions from headquarters. The EU mission also urged “maximal transparency” in the final tally, observing that the electoral commission did not publish disaggregated polling‑station results.