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The Judiciary of Zambia has received commendation from the African Union Commission’s Pre-Election and Needs Assessment Mission for its preparedness to handle electoral disputes ahead of the August general elections.
The AU delegation, led by former Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen Hassen, expressed satisfaction with the Judiciary’s readiness during a consultative meeting held in Lusaka on Thursday.
The AU Mission said Zambia’s history of peaceful political transitions continued to strengthen confidence in the country’s electoral preparedness.
Chief Justice Mumba Malila said the Judiciary’s preparedness was anchored on its constitutional mandate to resolve electoral disputes within prescribed timelines.
Malila said the Judiciary remained committed to ensuring that all election-related disputes, both before and after elections, are handled fairly, efficiently and in accordance with the law.
“The Judiciary remains committed to determining all election-related matters within the statutory 90-day period,” he said.
The Chief Justice noted that all election petitions arising from the previous general elections were concluded within the legal timeframe despite operational challenges.
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He, however, observed that the recent increase in constituencies through constitutional amendments could lead to a rise in election petitions, making judicial training and the induction of newly appointed judges necessary.
President of the Constitutional Court Margaret Munalula said the court had refined its election petition rules to improve the handling of presidential election disputes and ensure timely justice.
Meanwhile, Advisory Committee on Elections Management Chairperson Maria Mapani Kawimbe said the committee had intensified preparations for the 2026 elections through continuous training programmes for adjudicators.
“The committee had also modernised High Court election petition rules dating back to 1968 and developed legal reference materials for judges handling election cases,” Kawimbe said.
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