LINDA KASONDE, TWO OTHERS CHALLENGE AUGUST 13 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Former Law Association of Zambia President Linda Kasonde and two others have filed a petition challenging the August 13, 2026 presidential election in which President Hakainde Hichilema was declared winner by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).
The other petitioners are governance activist Brebner Changala and LCK Freedom Foundation Limited. The ECZ, Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha and President Hichilema have been named as respondents.
The petition cites election observation reports by the Christian Churches Monitoring Group (CCMG), ECZ records and statements, as well as reports concerning alleged security force deployments, political violence and the suspension of the counting and announcement of election results.
The petitioners have also cited reports concerning the detention and questioning of several political figures by Zambia Army officers, along with civil society statements on alleged links between the Social Cash Transfer Programme and voting, and the killing of former Minister Mutotwe Kafwaya.
Kasonde says she attempted to electronically file the petition with the Chief Registrar’s Office under Order III of the Constitutional Court Rules, but the official email address reportedly bounced back.
She subsequently sent the petition, affidavit verifying the facts, list of authorities and submissions to Chief Justice Mumba Malila for further action.
The filing comes during the courts’ Michaelmas vacation, which runs until September 6, 2026, with parties generally required to seek permission to commence proceedings during the vacation.
I actually upheld this woman so much when she was heading the Law Association of Zambia. At her helm, she was so prudent and very objective. But after she left LAZ, alas, I don’t know what has become of her. She seems to have joined band wagon of malicious lawyers.
Mum Kasonde, revert to your renown glorious God ordained status.
Ba Geoffrey, she is still the same lady of integrity. Her stand on justice doesnot shift with the wind like desert sand. Her character, like that of Ms. Laura Miti, is impeccable.
She has done what other cowardly lawyers dare not do, stand up for justice.
The closure of the courts is a deliberate action to subvert justice. A shameless way of preventing Mr. Mundubile from logging his election petition. The fact that the system can go to this extent to defeat justice means all was not well with the conduct of the last elections.
The whole court system goes on leave for a whole week? What nonsense is this?
Iam very disappointed with the turn of events.
The court system did not go on leave the whole week. There’s what’s called Michaeman’s vacation that Zambian courts follow. It’s of course modelled on English law since Zambia is a post-colonial state. What else can a post-colonial state be aside from being some form of copy of its former colonial power? This might hurt some of my compatriots but show me how to do completely without what the British planted in Zambia.