The government says former Republican President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has not been blocked or barred from contesting the 2026 general elections but is rather not eligible to run for president as ruled by the Constitutional Court.
Earlier today, the Constitutional Court delivered its judgement in Lungu’s lengthy eligibility matter. The court has determined that he is ineligible to contest the 2026 and future elections having previously served two terms as president.
Consequently, the state has refuted accusations by Lungu’s political allies that it is impeding the former head of state from exercising his ambitions to run for president for the third time.
Speaking at a media briefing this afternoon, Chief Government spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa stated that Lungu’s inability to contest the elections is purely due to the ruling made by the Constitutional Court guiding that he is ineligible.
“The judgement in itself is anchored on the law and no other considerations or persuasions. That is to say former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has not been barred or blocked from contesting the 2026 General Elections or any other beyond. Rather, it is the fact that he is ineligible and does not qualify,” Mweetwa told the press.
He also clarified that the Constitutional Court’s ruling was not passed with the intention to disqualify Lungu from contesting the 2026 elections but rather to ascertain his eligibility to contest.
“We would like to clarify that this judgement was not about blocking former President Lungu or barring him from contesting future elections but about resolving the question of eligibility,” he said.
Mweetwa, who is also Minister of Information and Media, further disputed allegations by the opposition that Republican President Hakainde Hichilema and the government had intruded in or influenced the Constitutional Court’s verdict in Lungu’s eligibility case.
“Therefore, assertions that President Hakainde Hichilema, State House or any other government functionary has had a hand in this judgement have got no merit or basis whatsoever,” he added.
The government has since welcomed the Constitutional Court’s judgement and expressed delight that the lengthy and much-debated eligibility case had finally been concluded.
“As a government of laws we welcome and respect this judgement as delivered. It has put to rest a plaguing and nagging national debate which has consumed national attention including international attention for the last three years or so,” Mweetwa said.
In a televised judgement, the Constitutional Court declared Lungu ineligible to contest presidential elections based on Article 106 (3) of the Zambian Constitution.
Lungu’s eligibility was petitioned by Youth Activist Michelo Chizombe who sought the Constitutional Court’s determination on whether the former President was eligible to contest the 2021 elections.
