Just In! Ex-President Lungu barred from 2026 polls, as Constitutional Court declares him ineligible for future elections

Former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s aspirations for a political comeback have suffered a significant setback following the Constitutional Court’s ruling on his eligibility for future elections.

The court’s unanimous decision, issued by a seven-member panel, declared Lungu ineligible to contest the 2026 elections or any subsequent ones, effectively putting an end to his presidential ambitions.

The ruling centers around the interpretation of sections 2 and 7 of the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections Act, as well as the now-repealed Article 35 of the Constitution.

The court affirmed that Lungu’s two terms in office—spanning from January 25, 2015, to September 13, 2016, and from September 13, 2016, to August 2021—count as two full presidential terms.

Read more: End Of An Era? The plot, intrigues, as Constitutional Court decides ex-president Lungu’s political fate

This interpretation is in line with the constitutional provision that restricts any individual from serving more than two terms in office.

Although the judgment bars Lungu from future presidential runs, it did not retroactively invalidate his 2021 participation.

The court clarified that the Electoral Commission of Zambia acted within its constitutional mandate by allowing Lungu on the ballot, citing a previous Constitutional Court ruling that had deemed him eligible at the time.

This distinction emphasizes the role of judicial interpretations in shaping electoral processes, as the Electoral Commission was bound by the legal framework in place during the 2021 election cycle.

This ruling not only marks a pivotal moment in Lungu’s political trajectory but also raised questions about the stability and predictability of Zambia’s electoral laws.

It may underscore the enduring influence of constitutional interpretations in determining the political futures of prominent figures and reflects broader debates on term limits and political accountability in the country.

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