🇿🇲 BRIEFING | Katuta’s Running Mate Withdraws as Constitutional Court Decision Looms
Independent presidential candidate Rev. Dr. Given Katuta has suffered a setback after her running mate, John Nyirenda, formally withdrew from the race less than a month before Zambia’s August 13 general election.
In a letter addressed to the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), Nyirenda said he had decided to step down after consultations with his family, friends and traditional leaders, and asked the Commission to take note of his withdrawal with immediate effect.
His departure adds Katuta to the growing list of presidential candidates affected by the withdrawal of running mates. Citizens First leader Harry Kalaba and Organized People’s Party president Brian Mushimba have also lost their vice-presidential nominees ahead of polling day.
The developments come as the Constitutional Court is yet to determine the legal effect of such withdrawals, including whether affected presidential candidates will remain validly nominated and eligible to contest the election despite their names already appearing on the ballot paper.
The court’s ruling is expected to provide legal clarity on an issue that has emerged as one of the more unusual constitutional questions of the 2026 election campaign.
© The People’s Brief | Goran Handya