# Zambian parliamentary election petition reforms

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/zambian-parliamentary-election-petition-reforms
> Updated: 2026-09-29T08:40:21.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

Zambia has introduced Constitutional Amendment No. 13 of 2025, referred to as Bill 7, which mandates that all petitions challenging the election of a Member of Parliament must be heard and determined within 90 days of filing. This amendment to Article 73 of the Constitution seeks to prevent long-term delays in the electoral justice system, citing past instances where disputes remained unresolved for years.

Following this legislative change, legal challenges are active in the Zambian court system. In the Chipata High Court, Lufeyo Ngoma of the United Party for National Development is petitioning to nullify the Lumezi South election or secure a recount. The petition alleges that Oliver Mwale of the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity won through vote buying, intimidation, and violence.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-29: Election petitions move through courts in Uganda and Zambia

Election petitions are moving through courts in Uganda and Zambia, with candidates alleging vote buying, irregularities, and result alterations in recent parliamentary contests.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/election-petitions-move-through-courts-in-uganda-and-zambia

### 2026-09-03: Zambia implements 90-day limit for parliamentary election petitions

Zambia's Constitutional Amendment No. 13 now requires all parliamentary election petitions to be heard and determined within 90 days of filing to prevent prolonged electoral disputes.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zambia-mandates-90-day-limit-for-parliamentary-election-petitions

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Cite as: Zambian parliamentary election petition reforms. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/zambian-parliamentary-election-petition-reforms