from ARNOLD MULENGA in Lusaka, Zambia
Zambia Bureau
LUSAKA, (CAJ News) – PRESIDENT-ELECT Hakainde Hichilema will be sworn in on September 1 following his re-election.
This is a major twist to the crisis bedevilling the Southern African country, where the opposition has rejected the poll outcome.
The venue for the inauguration ceremony shall be communicated in due course.
Patrick Kangwa, Secretary to the Cabinet, said the announcement served to inform the nation that, at the expiration of the seven-day provision allowed for the filing of a petition challenging a presidential election, the judiciary had not received any petition.
“In this regard, the swearing-in of the President-elect, Hakainde Hichilema, shall be held on Tuesday 1st September 2026 in accordance with the provisions of Article 105 of the Constitution of Zambia Act No. 2 of 2016,” Kangwa said.
Yet, on Tuesday, the final day when a petition was to be presented, the courts had been closed.
Brian Mundubile of the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) had sought to challenge Hichilema’s victory for the United Party of National Development (UPND).
The decision by authorities to close the country’s top courts—specifically the Supreme and Constitutional courts—on the final day for filing a presidential election petition has been widely characterised as controversial.
Legal experts, civil society groups and the Law Association of Zambia have denounced it as deeply alarming and highly suspicious.
UPND gloated.
“Game over. We move on as directed. You must be stupid to believe that there is a valid determination of petition,” it responded.
– CAJ News