Zambia courts close as Mundubile election petition deadline nears

Zambian court premises have been closed nationwide for security reasons as opposition presidential candidate Brian Mundubile approaches the constitutional deadline to petition the August 13 election results. A memorandum issued by Chief Administrator Nalishiebo Imataa advised staff not to report for work, a move critics argue prevents Mundubile and his legal team from filing their challenge within the required timeframe.

Mundubile, representing the NRPUP, has rejected the declaration of Hakainde Hichilema as president, alleging serious irregularities in the counting, transmission, and declaration of results. While Mundubile intends to contest the outcome, his efforts face political complications. The NRPUP executive president, Ezra Tembo, has publicly accepted the election results and announced the party's withdrawal from the Tonse Alliance to act as the official opposition.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia declared Hichilema the winner after he secured 2,965,326 votes, compared to Mundubile's 1,856,217. The unprecedented closure of judiciary buildings and the presence of security forces around courts have raised concerns regarding the country's democratic processes.