The Constitutional Court of Zambia has ruled that former President Edgar Lungu is barred from running for re-election in 2026, affirming that he has already served the maximum two terms allowed by law. This decision follows Lungu’s prior candidacy and his efforts to re-establish a public profile after his presidency, amidst ongoing political tensions with current President Hakainde Hichilema.
Zambia’s Constitutional Court has decisively ruled that former President Edgar Lungu is ineligible to seek re-election in the 2026 presidential race. The court determined that Lungu, aged 68, has already reached the constitutional limit of two terms in office, having served first in 2015 for the final months of his predecessor’s term and then winning a subsequent full term. Despite Lungu’s contention that his initial term should not count due to its brevity, the court upheld the legality of the previous ruling that had enabled his candidacy in 2021, further solidifying that he has served two elected terms. Lungu’s recent selection as the opposition 2026 candidate by the Tonse Alliance was shortly followed by this ruling, emphasizing the ongoing political strife following his presidency.
This judicial ruling emerges from a sequence of contentious political events in Zambia, particularly the ongoing rivalry between Lungu and the current President Hakainde Hichilema. Following the demise of President Michael Sata in 2014, Lungu became president, and Zambia underwent constitutional amendments clarifying succession protocols. The legal disputes surrounding Lungu’s candidacy have been a focal point in Zambian politics, illustrating broader themes of electoral integrity and constitutional adherence during democracies’ evolution in the country.
The ruling by Zambia’s Constitutional Court serves not only to clarify Lungu’s political future but also reflects the larger commitment to upholding democratic processes and preventing unconstitutional electoral participation. As Zambia approaches the 2026 elections, this legal decision reinforces the importance of adhering to constitutional mandates for all aspiring political leaders.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
