By Burnett Munthali
In a landmark ruling, the Constitutional Court of Zambia has declared that former President Edgar Lungu is not eligible to contest any future presidential elections, citing Article 106 of the Constitution. The decision, which has significant political implications, also clarified that Lungu was eligible to run in the 2021 elections, which he ultimately lost.
The ruling arose from a legal challenge questioning whether Lungu, who served as president from 2015 to 2021, could seek a third term. Despite strong speculation that Lungu had plans to return to the presidency in 2026, the court emphasized the limits set by Article 106, which restricts presidents to serving two terms in office.
A central point of contention in the case was whether Lungu’s first term counted as a full term, given that he assumed the presidency in 2015 following the death of his predecessor, Michael Sata. While Lungu was not elected to office in 2015, the court ruled that his time in office from 2015 to 2016 was not considered a full term, allowing him to run for re-election in 2021.
However, the court concluded that Lungu’s eligibility for future elections is now restricted under the two-term limit specified in the Constitution. As a result, Lungu will not be able to contest any upcoming elections, marking the end of a prolonged legal and political debate.
The decision has been met with mixed reactions. Lungu’s legal team expressed disappointment, and some of his supporters argued that the ruling was politically motivated. However, the court’s interpretation aligns with Zambia’s constitutional framework, which aims to ensure democratic governance and a peaceful transfer of power.
As the ruling settles, attention will now turn to the implications for Zambia’s political future. Lungu’s potential return to the political arena had been a divisive issue, particularly within his own party, the Patriotic Front (PF). With his path to the presidency now blocked, the focus shifts to new leadership and the evolving political dynamics in the country.
This ruling highlights the importance of respecting constitutional provisions in safeguarding Zambia’s democracy and ensuring that future elections are free and fair. With the decision now final, the country can turn its focus toward the next chapter in its political journey, looking ahead to the emergence of new leaders in the years to come.
