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The Lusaka High Court has dismissed a request by the Attorney General to lift a stay order on nine Patriotic Front (PF) MPs whose seats were declared vacant by the Second Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Moyo. The MPs had challenged the Speaker’s decision in court and successfully obtained a stay order, temporarily blocking the execution of the decision.
The application by Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha to overturn the stay order seeks to allow the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to proceed with scheduling nine parliamentary by-elections. However, the move has been strongly criticized by the public, especially considering the country’s current financial constraints.
The High Court ruling means the stay order remains in effect and no by-elections will be announced for any contested seats for now. The main hearing in the case is scheduled to begin on September 9, 2024.
The MPs involved – Brian Mundubile, Stephen Kampyongo, Remember Mutale, Christopher Kang’ombe, Ronald Chitotela, Nickson Chilangwa, Davies Chisopa, Mulenga Fube and Mutotwe Kafwaya – sought a judicial review after their seats were declared vacant in July, challenging the legality of the Speaker’s decision.
As the case progresses, it is expected to attract widespread attention due to the impact it will have on Zambia’s political landscape and governance.
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