https://en.sputniknews.africa/20241211/zambias-constitutional-court-bars-ex-president-lungu-from-2026-presidential-election-1069661404.html
Zambia's Constitutional Court Bars Ex-President Lungu From 2026 Presidential Election
Zambia's Constitutional Court Bars Ex-President Lungu From 2026 Presidential Election
Sputnik Africa
Former Zambian President Lungu first took office for the remaining 20 months of President Michael Sata's term following his death in 2015, and was elected... 11.12.2024, Sputnik Africa
2024-12-11T15:17+0100
2024-12-11T15:17+0100
2024-12-11T15:48+0100
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Zambia's Constitutional Court ruled that ex-president Edgar Lungu is ineligible to run for president in 2026, having already served the constitutionally mandated two terms.The court rejected the ex-president's argument that his first term should not be counted as a full term, as well as the argument that earlier orders confirmed Lungu's candidacy for the 2021 presidential election, in which he lost to Hakainde Hichilema. According to Zambia's constitution, "term of office for a president is five years," and "a person who has twice held office as president is not eligible for election." Lungu accepted the verdict but accused the court of political manipulation, while the government reportedly welcomed the ruling as upholding democratic principles and ensuring fair elections.
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zambia, southern africa, presidential election, elections, election candidate, court, constitution, justice, former president
zambia, southern africa, presidential election, elections, election candidate, court, constitution, justice, former president
Zambia's Constitutional Court Bars Ex-President Lungu From 2026 Presidential Election
15:17 11.12.2024 (Updated: 15:48 11.12.2024) Alla Shukanova
Writer / Editor
Former Zambian President Lungu first took office for the remaining 20 months of President Michael Sata's term following his death in 2015, and was elected president for a second full term in August 2016, according to media reports.
Zambia's Constitutional Court ruled that ex-president Edgar Lungu is ineligible to run for president in 2026, having already served the constitutionally mandated two terms.
"Edgar Chagwa Lungu has therefore been twice elected and has twice held office. […] The constitution makes the 1st respondent [Lungu] ineligible to participate in any future elections as a presidential candidate," read the ruling by the court.
The court rejected the ex-president's argument that his first term should not be counted as a full term, as well as the argument that earlier orders confirmed Lungu's candidacy for the 2021 presidential election, in which he lost to Hakainde Hichilema.
"[Edgar Lungu's] term of office that ran from January 25, 2015, to September 13, 2016, constituted a term of office. The 1st respondent's "[Edgar Lungu's] term which ran from September 13, 2016, to August 2021, constituted his second term," the court noted in the ruling.
According to Zambia's constitution, "term of office for a president is five years," and "a person who has twice held office as president is not eligible for election."
Lungu accepted the verdict but accused the court of political manipulation, while the government reportedly welcomed the ruling as upholding democratic principles and ensuring fair elections.
"I accept this verdict. I accept it not with resignation but with resolve," the ex-president said on his social media account.
