ECZ removes Kalomo Central independent candidate from the ballot
INDEPENDENT parliamentary candidate for Kalomo Central Constituency, Hyde Haguta, has petitioned the High Court seeking to overturn the Electoral Commission of Zambia’s (ECZ) decision to remove his name from the ballot ahead of the August 13, 2026 General Election.
Haguta said he had filed for leave to commence judicial review proceedings against the ECZ, arguing that the Commission’s decision was unlawful, procedurally unfair, irrational, unreasonable, unconstitutional and made without legal authority.
According to Haguta, he was validly nominated and formally notified the ECZ on June 9, 2026, that he remained in the race. However, he says his name was omitted from the final ballot papers published by the Commission.
Haguta said he first became aware of the issue around July 20, 2026, after receiving information that the ECZ intended to remove him from the ballot.
He said he contacted Chief Electoral Officer Brown Kasaro, who allegedly acknowledged that “something like that is coming” but did not provide any reasons or legal basis for the reported decision.
He further stated that on July 21, 2026, the ECZ wrote to him informing him that he had been excluded because there was “no mechanism under the law permitting a candidate who had withdrawn or resigned to return to the ballot.”
Haguta maintains that he neither withdrew nor resigned from the race and argues that the Commission’s letter did not cite any statutory provision supporting its decision.
The candidate said he challenged the ECZ’s position in writing on July 22, 2026, and later sought clarification from the Commission’s Chairperson on July 24, 2026, but received no satisfactory response.
He added that on July 27, 2026, he issued a demand letter giving the ECZ until 12:00 hours on July 28, 2026, to respond. According to Haguta, the Commission did not reply.
“Having exhausted every reasonable administrative avenue available to me, I have now placed this matter before the High Court for determination,” Haguta said.
In his application, Haguta is seeking an order of certiorari to quash the ECZ’s decision contained in its July 21, 2026 letter signed by the Chief Electoral Officer.
He is also seeking orders restraining the ECZ and its officers from implementing the decision, compelling the Commission to include his name among the validly nominated candidates for Kalomo Central Constituency, and any other relief the court may deem appropriate.
Haguta said the matter extends beyond his individual candidature, arguing that it concerns the integrity of Zambia’s electoral process, the supremacy of the Constitution and the accountability of independent constitutional institutions.
He has called on voters in Kalomo Central and the nation at large to remain calm and peaceful while the matter is before the courts.
“I remain confident that the High Court will independently consider the issues before it and determine the matter according to the Constitution and the law,” he said.
©TV Yatu | Noel Iyombwa | August 7, 2026.