On 24 August 2026, courts in Lusaka and several other parts of Zambia were closed and access restricted, with police deployed at some judicial premises. The closure affected the High Court, Constitutional Court and Supreme Court, among other courts, reportedly for security reasons. The timing raised significant concerns because 24 August was the final day to file petitions challenging the 13 August presidential election results.
The closure directly affected the right to petition and seek judicial review of an election result under Article 103 of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment)Act,2016, and Article 98 of the Electoral Process Act No. 35 of 2016. Opposition leader and presidential candidate Brian Mundubile had publicly stated that he intended to challenge the election results in the Constitutional Court, citing alleged irregularities in the electoral process. Under the constitutional framework, a presidential election petition must be filed within 7 days following the declaration of results, and 24 August marked the seventh and last day to file petitions. The courts’ closure therefore created a serious practical barrier to exercising this right within the prescribed timeframe.
The situation has attracted concern from legal bodies and civil society organizations, which warned that restricting access to courts undermines the rule of law, access to justice and constitutional protections, particularly where an electoral dispute is subject to a strict legal deadline.