LUSAKA, Zambia — August 24, 2026 — Zambia’s courts were sealed off on Monday as the deadline for challenging the country’s presidential election result approached, creating fresh uncertainty over whether the opposition will be able to file its planned petition.
The closure affected court premises in Lusaka and other parts of the country, including facilities used for constitutional and election-related matters. Lawyers arriving at some courts reportedly encountered armed security personnel and were instructed to leave the premises.
The developments came on the final day of the legal window for challenging President Hakainde Hichilema’s re-election, intensifying concerns among opposition supporters and civil society groups about access to the courts.
Mundubile plans election challenge
Opposition presidential candidate Brian Mundubile has rejected the election outcome and indicated that he intends to challenge the result in court.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia declared Hichilema the winner of the August 13 presidential election with about 60% of the vote, while Mundubile received roughly 38%.
Mundubile has alleged irregularities in the counting, transmission and declaration of the results. His planned legal challenge has therefore become a major test of Zambia’s post-election political and judicial process.
Under Zambia’s constitutional framework, a presidential election petition must be filed within the prescribed period following the declaration of the result. Reports indicate that August 24 is the final day for the current challenge.
Opposition leader remains in hiding
The election dispute has unfolded against a backdrop of heightened political tension.
Mundubile has gone into hiding and is reportedly under international protection amid concerns about his safety. His decision followed a security operation involving a location linked to him during which former government minister Mutotwe Kafwaya was killed. Several opposition figures were also arrested during the post-election crackdown.
Authorities have alleged that those arrested were connected to threats against national security, allegations that Mundubile and his allies have rejected.
The United Nations human rights chief has expressed concern about the arrests and called on Zambian authorities to ensure due process and respect for human rights.
Election observers raise concerns
The dispute has also drawn attention to the conduct of the election and the subsequent counting process.
The European Union election observation mission said the polling process was largely peaceful but highlighted concerns about unequal campaign conditions, restrictions affecting opposition actors and aspects of the vote-tabulation process.
Observers also raised concerns about military presence at some tallying centres, interruptions during the counting process and limited transparency surrounding the publication and verification of polling-station results.
These concerns have strengthened calls for transparency as the opposition considers its legal options.
Inauguration preparations continue
Despite the uncertainty surrounding a possible court challenge, preparations for Hichilema’s inauguration are continuing.
The inauguration is scheduled for September 1 at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka. A successful election petition filed within the legal deadline could, however, complicate the transition and inauguration process depending on how the Constitutional Court handles the case.
The immediate question is therefore whether Mundubile’s legal team will be able to successfully lodge its petition before the deadline expires.
The closure of courts on the same day has added another layer of controversy to an already tense post-election period, with legal professionals and civil society groups raising concerns about access to justice.
What happens next?
If an election petition is successfully filed, the dispute will move into the judicial process, where the Constitutional Court will consider the opposition’s claims and the evidence presented.
If no petition is filed within the required period, Hichilema’s re-election will face no presidential election challenge through that particular constitutional process.
For now, attention remains firmly focused on Zambia’s courts, the opposition legal team and the final hours of the petition window.
