Access to Zambian courts prevented as election petition deadline looms

Court premises in the Zambian capital, Lusaka, and elsewhere have been shut as the deadline for filing a petition against the outcome of the recent presidential election approaches.

Key points

• The courts that have been sealed off include the High Court in Lusaka, the Supreme Court.
• After coming second with a 38% share of the vote, opposition candidate Brian Mundubile remarked he would challenge the election result, citing irregularities.
• The arrests as well as the death of Kafwaya prompted calls from rights groups and the Law Association of Zambia for an independent investigations.
• Amnesty International described the Kafwaya's killing as "deeply alarming" and pressed prompt, thorough and impartial investigations.
• Monday is the last day on which petition against the presidential election result can be filed.

Notably, an unusual police presence has been documented at some courts. It have been taped off to prevent access.

After coming second with a 38% share of the vote, opposition candidate Brian Mundubile remarked he would challenge the election result, citing irregularities. Incumbent Hakainde Hichilema won a second term with 60%.

Mundubile is in hiding over alleged threats created against him, against the backdrop of a post-election period marked by controversy, including the shooting dead of an opposition figure and the arrest of others.

Monday is the last day on which petition against the presidential election result can be filed. Such a petition could potentially affect the inauguration of Hichilema. It is scheduled for 1 September.

On Monday, lawyers who arrived at the courts were being asked to depart.

One lawyer informed the BBC that three armed men approached his vehicle, identified themselves, and instructed him to leave the area.

Notably, the courts that have been sealed off include the High Court in Lusaka, the Supreme Court. It additionally houses the Constitutional Court, and a number of local courts.

It is unclear when the premises will reopen. The BBC has contacted the Zambian police and the judiciary for comment. Despite this, preparations for Hichilema's inauguration appear to be continuing.

For context, the youth and sport ministry has issued a media invitation for journalists to accompany a cabinet official on an inspection of arrangements at National Heroes Stadium, where the ceremony is projected to take place.

Mundubile last week rejected the presidential election results and remarked he planned to challenge the outcome through the courts.

He remains in a secure location under the protection of what his campaign describes as an "international human rights body".

He went into hiding after the arrests of opposition figures and the death of former minister Mutotwe Kafwaya during a raid by security officers, in what authorities described as an exchange of fire in a security operation in the capital.

For context, the arrests as well as the death of Kafwaya prompted calls from rights groups and the Law Association of Zambia for an independent investigations.

Amnesty International described the Kafwaya's killing as "deeply alarming" and pressed prompt, thorough and impartial investigations. The lawyers' association similarly expressed "grave concern" and demanded investigation.

In practice, the election day, 13 August, was described by regional and international observers as largely peaceful, but they triggered concern regarding late electoral reforms, media freedom and access to the media in the run-up to the poll.

In practice, the EU observation mission remarked restrictions on the opposition may have contributed to an "uneven contest".

On vote tallying, the mission described a heavy military presence as intimidating and remarked it had received reports of attacks on some tallying centres.

It remarked staff in numerous centres did not record results on tally sheets as shortly as they were unveiled, and cited subdued verification between digital entries and paper records. It continued that returning officers frequently paused proceedings while awaiting instructions from headquarters.

For context, the EU mission additionally called on "maximal transparency" over the poll outcome, noting that the electoral commission did not publish separate polling-station results. You may additionally be interested in. Ex-Zambian minister killed in security raid on opposition.

Zambia's Hichilema re-elected president as main rival in hiding over alleged threats. Top Zambian opposition figures arrested days after presidential vote.

In practice, a burial row over Zambia's late president has turned its election into a hot contest.

Go to BBCAfrica.com, external for more news from the African continent.

Taken together, the developments around access to Zambian courts prevented as election petition deadline looms point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.