Court throws out bid to halt tabling, processing of 77 bills by Zambian govt

The Lusaka High Court has dismissed an application for judicial review seeking to block Government’s decision to table and process 77 Bills ahead of the dissolution of Parliament, ruling that the matter falls outside its jurisdiction.

In a ruling, Judge Lameck Mwale said the High Court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter because it raised constitutional questions that should be determined by the Constitutional Court.
“Given the want of jurisdiction on the part of this court, I am not satisfied that there is a case fit for further investigation at a full inter-partes hearing. Put nakedly, the applicants’ application is without hope,” Judge Mwale said.

The application was filed by LCK Freedom Foundation and Chapter One Foundation, which sought to stop the tabling and processing of the Bills between May 4 and May 12, 2026, before Parliament dissolves on May 15 ahead of the August general elections.

Read more: CSOs head to court to halt hurried passage of 77 bills, cite threat to constitutional democracy

The two organisations had argued that Government’s decision to process 77 Bills within nine days was unlawful, irrational and unconstitutional, as it undermined meaningful public participation and parliamentary scrutiny.

The organisations contended that the suspension of the National Assembly’s Standing Orders weakened constitutional safeguards meant to ensure adequate scrutiny of proposed legislation.

The organisations further argued that Article 89 of the Constitution imposed a mandatory obligation on Parliament to facilitate meaningful public participation in the legislative process, including scrutiny through Parliamentary Select Committees.

According to the application, neither members of the public nor Members of Parliament would have sufficient time to adequately read, analyse and respond to 77 Bills within the proposed timeframe.

The applicants had also sought an order declaring the process unconstitutional and any legislation passed in violation of Article 89 null and void.

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