By Lovemore Lubinda
The deadline for losing National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity presidential candidate Brian Mundubile to challenge the August 13 general election results expires today, with less than 24 hours remaining before the constitutional time limit lapses.
Sources close to the matter say Mundubile, who is reported to have sought refuge at a United Nations agency in Lusaka following post-election security developments, had not filed a presidential election petition in the Constitutional Court as of yesterday evening.
None of his lawyers contacted were able to confirm that a petition had been filed.
President Hakainde Hichilema was declared winner by the Electoral Commission of Zambia on Tuesday, August 18, after garnering 2,965,326 votes against Mundubile’s 1,856,217 votes.
The filing window has now been thrown into uncertainty after the Judiciary confirmed that all courts countrywide have been closed today, August 24, 2026 “for security reasons.”
A memorandum dated August 24, 2026 issued by Chief Administrator Nalishiebo Imataa was circulated to staff and copied to senior judicial officials, including the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice, President and Deputy President of the Constitutional Court, and the Judge President of the Court of Appeal.
“For security reasons, all Members of Staff are advised not to report for work today,” the memo stated, adding that further guidance would be given once the situation was contained.
The closure of the entire Judiciary is unprecedented in present-day Zambia and has raised questions over its timing, coming on the final day for filing a presidential election petition.
Critics say the shutdown is politically motivated and intended to prevent Mundubile from filing within the required seven-day period. The allegation could not be independently verified, and the official memorandum makes no reference to a directive from the President to close the Judiciary.
The development is likely to draw intense scrutiny to the Judiciary at a time when the credibility of the electoral process and the handling of post-election disputes remain under public attention.
The immediate question now is whether the closure will affect Mundubile’s ability to lodge his petition, and what arrangements the Judiciary will put in place once normal operations resume.
Meanwhile, presidential candidate in the just-ended election Given Katuta said she had heard of the closure.
“Good morning fellow Zambians, How true is it that the High/Concourt premises in Lusaka are closed today? What happened?,” she asked.
The We Are One Zambia Alliance, a member of the Tonse Alliance, however expressed optimism that a petition challenging the declaration of the August 13 presidential election results will be filed by close of business today.
Speaking to Hot FM News, WOZA Secretary General Muhabi Lungu said all alliance members had agreed to challenge the electoral outcome over alleged irregularities involving the security, transportation and handling of ballot papers and other electoral materials.
Lungu also alleged discrepancies between votes recorded at polling stations and figures later announced.
He said documents were being prepared to ensure the petition, affidavit and Heads of Argument are filed within the stipulated seven-day period after the announcement of results.
President-elect Hichilema was declared winner last Monday, and according to the law, any petition challenging his election should be filed within seven days from that day.
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