Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema Faces Eligibility Challenge in Constitutional Court

The Constitutional Court of Zambia convened a full bench on 19 June 2026 to hear a petition filed by United Party for National Development (UPND) senior member Charles Longwe. Longwe challenges President Hakainde Hichilema’s candidacy for the 2026 general election, arguing that the UPND did not hold a valid party convention before Hichilema’s nomination on 22 May 2026.

Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha has asked the court to dismiss the petition with costs, contending that Hichilema meets the constitutional requirements for presidential nominees under article 100, article 52(4) and article 60(1) of the amended 2016 Constitution. He argues that internal party disputes over the legitimacy of the UPND convention cannot invalidate the president’s eligibility. Hichilema is represented by State Counsel Mulambo Haimbe and lawyer Michael Moono, while the petitioner is represented by Benjamin Mwelwa. The court is expected to announce a judgment date after the hearing.