LUSAKA - The Zambian Civil Liberties Union (ZCLU) has dismissed speculation that losing UPND parliamentary candidates who have petitioned election results in certain constituencies will automatically secure victory through the courts.
Several losing UPND parliamentary candidates have filed petitions challenging the outcomes of the August 13, 2026 General Election in their respective constituencies.
However, ZCLU Executive Director Isaac Mwanza told Phoenix News that the electorate had already made its decision through the ballot, although he said the possibility of a different outcome in a subsequent by-election could not be ruled out.
Mr. Mwanza cautioned against pre-empting the outcome of the petitions, saying the courts should be allowed to independently examine the evidence presented before making a determination.
He further urged all candidates dissatisfied with the outcome of the 2026 General Election to use the courts to challenge the results, noting that the right to petition is guaranteed by the Constitution.
Meanwhile, the Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance has described election petitions filed by losing UPND candidates as frivolous and accused the petitioners of attempting to undermine the will of the people.
Alliance Deputy Spokesperson Anthony Chibuye said the alliance's concern was not with the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) or the ruling UPND, but with what he described as the misuse of the electoral petition process.
In an interview with Phoenix News, Mr. Chibuye said the alliance believed there was a calculated attempt to overturn victories it claims to have won fairly, particularly in areas where it secured the majority of seats.
Source: PHOENIX NEWS
By: Josphat Mbewe