LUNGU ELIGIBLE FOR 2021 GENERAL ELECTION

The Constitutional Court has ruled that President Edgar Lungu is eligible to contest the 2021 General Elections.
The court in its Judgement says the Presidential tenure from January 25, 2015 to September 13, 2016 does not constitute a full term of office.
The constitutional Court has relied on articles 106 sub-article one and article 106 sub-article six of the 2016 constitution.
The Constitutional Court noted that article 106 sub article three cannot be interpreted in isolation to other articles in the constitution.
Court President Hilda Chibomba sitting with other Constitutional Court judges read the judgement.
She dismissed the arguments by interested parties that President Lungu is not eligible for election as president.
The interested parties were United Party for National Development -UPND and the Law Association of Zambia -LAZ.
Meanwhile the Constitutional Court noted that the applicants must have personalised the matter by attaching President Lungu’s name to the application.
The applicants filed the application by asking the court to determine whether or not President Lungu is eligible to contest the 2021 general elections.
The applicants were Christian Democratic Party President Dan Pule and Citizens Democratic Party President Robert Mwanza.
Others were New Congress Party President Peter Chanda and Zambian Republican Party president Wright Musoma.
PF Secretary General Davies Mwila
PF Secretary General Davies Mwila is happy that the issue of President Edgar Lungu’s eligibility has been settled.
Mr. Mwila says the Constitutional court’s judgement is a victory for the PF and President Lungu.
After the interview Mr. Mwila who was accompanied by PF deputy Secretary General Mumbi Phiri and Central Province Permanent Secretary Chanda Kabwe took time to greet the cadres who had come to court.
And lawyers representing the UPND said they will not issue a statement until they read the judgement.
Keith Mweemba and Gilbert PHIRI said they cannot state whether they will use other avenues to compel the court to re consider its decision or not.
And Young African leaders initiative Governance expert Isaac Mwanza described the judgement as sound.