MNR GIVES REGISTRAR OF SOCIETIES 48HRS TO REGISTER PARTY
MNR Raises Constitutional Concerns Over Registration Process and Demands
Compliance with Court Ruling
..register political party immediately, remove fingerprints clearance by the Police, detailed cvs of Office bearers as this amounts to licencing and is unconstitutional…
The Movement for National Renewal (MNR) has formally raised serious constitutiona
concerns regarding the requirements imposed by the Registrar of Societies in relation to its
application for registration submitted on 23 March 2026.
This follows the recent judgment of the Constitutional Court delivered on 2 April 2026 in The Legal Resources Foundation Limited v The Attorney General (2025/CCZ/0020), in which the Court directed that the Societies Act must be read and applied in conformity with Article 60 of the Constitution.
Despite this binding directive, the Registrar has continued to impose a series of requirementson MNR that include:
(a) Police clearance and fingerprint certification of office bearers;
Approval and endorsement from the Zambia Police Service and local authorities;
(c) Recommendation and symbol approval from the Electoral Commission of Zambia;
(d) Detailed vetting of leadership, including curriculum vitae and traceable references.
MNR contends that these requirements collectively amount to a multi-layered system of prior State approval, effectively transforming a registration process into a licensing regime. Such a
regime, the Movement submits, has no constitutional basis, is neither reasonable nor
proportionate, and constitutes an unjustified interference with the right of citizens to freely
form and participate in political organisations
The Movement further notes that the continued insistence on hese requirements
is inconsistent with the binding directive of the Constitutional Court, and therefore represents
a failure by a State organ to comply with the Constitution.
Threat to Democratic Participation
The urgency of the matter is heightened by the forthcoming general elections, with candidate
nominations scheduled between 18 and 22 May 2026.
Unless the application is determined promptly, MNR will be effectively excluded from
participating in the electoral process.
In addition, the uncertainty surrounding the registration process has already impaired the
Movement’s ability to:
(a) Mobilise supporters;
(b) Organise its structures; and
(c) Raise funds through voluntary public contributions.
This situation places MNR at a serious and unjust disadvantage in the democratic process.
MNR’s Demands
MNR has formally called on the Registrar of Societies to:
a)Withdraw the unconstitutional requirements immediately;
(b) Reconsider the application in light of the Constitutional Court judgment
c) Apply the Societies Act strictly in conformity with Article 60; and
d)Proceed to determine the application without imposing extraneous conditions.
The Movement has given the Registrar 48 hours to comply and communicate a decision.
Next Steps
MNR has made it clear that, in the event opf non-compliance, it will take all necessary legal steps to enforce compliance with the Constitution and the authority of the Constitutional Court.
This may include proceedings to ensure adherence to the Court’s directive and to safeguard constitutional rights.
Commitment to Constitutional Democracy
