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In what may seem an emerging crisis, member of the United Party for National Development (UPND) has taken the party to court, accusing its leadership of overstaying in office in violation of the party constitution and national law.
Charles Longwe has sued UPND Secretary-General Batuke Imenda in the Lusaka High Court, seeking orders to suspend the current office bearers and compel the ruling party to hold fresh internal elections.
Longwe said the action follows guidance from the Registrar of Societies directing political parties to conduct regular elections.
Read more: Longwe demands action as UPND leadership term allegedly expires
He warned that the party’s failure to comply with statutory requirements could expose it to deregistration.
In court filings, Longwe argued that the UPND had not held mandatory elections across its structures, leaving its leadership without a lawful mandate.
He said the National Management Committee’s tenure “lapsed on 14 February 2026” and that its continued stay in office was illegal. He further alleged that provincial and lower structures had operated outside their mandates since 2024.
According to the documents, Longwe is seeking declarations that the party breached its own constitution and Article 60 of the Constitution of Zambia by failing to conduct elections, creating what he called a “constitutional vacuum.”
“There are no qualified delegates to constitute an electoral college for a general assembly,” he said.
Longwe is asking the court for an injunction restraining party officials from holding meetings, issuing statements or acting in their official capacities until the case is determined.
He also proposed the appointment of an interim committee to run the party and organise elections.
In an affidavit, Longwe said he has been a UPND member since 2001 and previously served on its National Management Committee.
He added that his efforts to seek clarity on internal elections were dismissed by party officials, who he said questioned his membership and motives.
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