NRPUP SUES ECZ OVER SUSPENSION OF CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES IN KAPUTA

By Nelson Zulu

National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity -NRPUP- Secretary General Nonde Mubanga has sued the Electoral Commission of Zambia -ECZ- in the Lusaka High Court, challenging the Commission’s decision to halt the party’s campaign activities in Kaputa Constituency.

According to Mr. Mubanga, who has commenced the action in his capacity as NRPUP Secretary General, the application seeks leave to apply for judicial review of the ECZ’s decision contained in a press statement issued on July 3, 2026, suspending the party’s campaign activities in the constituency over alleged acts of violence.

The application seeks several remedies, including an order of mandamus compelling ECZ to administer the electoral process in accordance with the Constitution and the Electoral Process Act No. 35 of 2016, while allowing the National Conflict Resolution Committee to hear and determine the allegations before any sanction is enforced.

Mr. Mubanga is also seeking orders of certiorari to quash the Commission’s decision, prohibition restraining ECZ from implementing the suspension, a declaration that the decision was unlawful, unconstitutional and procedurally improper, as well as an order that leave to commence judicial review should operate as a stay of the suspension pending determination of the matter.

In the application, Mr. Mubanga argues that the party had already adopted Gilbert Chipili as its parliamentary candidate alongside several ward candidates for Kaputa Constituency and had committed substantial financial and logistical resources towards campaign activities. He also contends that the party was not accorded an opportunity to be heard before the suspension was imposed, adding that the Commission’s decision has disrupted its campaign programme indefinitely and prejudiced its political rights and electoral interests.

PHOENIX NEWS