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Embattled Patriotic Front (PF) president, Miles Sampa, has dragged the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), the Chief Registrar of Societies, and the Attorney General to the Lusaka High Court.
Sampa is seeking urgent court intervention to compel recognition of his authority to endorse PF candidates in the 2026 general elections.
He argued that he remained the recognised president of the PF following the party convention held on October 24, 2023.
According to the statement of claim, party records at the Registrar of Societies reflected him as president and Morgan Ng’ona as secretary general at that time.
“According to the statement of claim, disputes later arose over the administration and leadership structure of the former ruling party, resulting in litigation between Sampa and Ng’ona. The matter was, however, dismissed by the High Court on March 3, 2026,” the documents state.
Sampa made the following claims:
That on March 8, 2026, the PF central committee resolved several issues concerning party leadership and office bearers.
That following the meeting, the Chief Registrar of Societies was reportedly notified that the party had withdrawn previous notices relating to office bearers.
That the party resolved that Ng’ona be removed from the office of secretary general and that Mr Sampa would continue to hold office as both president and secretary general pending further notice.
“Following the meeting, the Chief Registrar of Societies was allegedly notified that the party had withdrawn previous notices relating to office bearers and sought the reversion of the register to the previous list of office bearers,” the claim reads.
Sampa said that despite formal notices, resolutions, and administrative requests submitted by the PF, the Chief Registrar of Societies failed or neglected to amend and regularise the party records.
He cited failure to amend official office bearer records and failure to regularise the records despite acknowledging receipt of correspondence.
The PF leader also accused the registrar of failure to communicate a final administrative determination and failure to facilitate timely electoral administrative compliance.
“Particulars of failure cited include failure to amend official office bearer records, failure to regularise the records despite acknowledging receipt of the correspondence, failure to communicate a final administrative determination, and failure to facilitate timely electoral administrative compliance,” he stated.
Sampa stated that on May 11, 2026, the PF formally notified the registrar of the appointment of Petronella Nkumbula as deputy secretary general.
He said the dispute had escalated following ECZ guidance requiring nomination papers to be signed by party presidents and secretary generals as reflected in records held by the Registrar of Societies.
Sampa argued that under the Electoral Process Amendment Act No. 12 of 2026, adoption certificates had become mandatory statutory documents for candidates sponsored by political parties.
He submitted that PF was actively preparing to sponsor candidates for the presidency, parliamentary, mayoral, and local government elections nationwide.
The embattled PF leader is seeking court declarations recognising the appointment of Ms Nkumbula as deputy secretary general and recognition of specimen signatures for adoption certificates.
He warned that failure to recognise the PF leadership structure could result in rejection of adoption certificates and exclusion of PF-sponsored candidates.
Sampa said the uncertainty posed a risk of disrupting his lawful functions as PF president and could occasion irreparable electoral and political prejudice.
“He has asked the court for an interim injunction restraining ECZ, its agents or any other authorities from taking administrative, regulatory or operational steps that may hinder, frustrate or invalidate his authority as PF president,” the court filing states.
The matter has been scheduled for an inter parties hearing on Tuesday afternoon in chambers.
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