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Zambian court declares former president Lungu ineligible for 2026 Election Run
The Constitutional Court of Zambia has ruled that former President Edgar Lungu is ineligible to run for a third term in office. This decision follows Lungu’s announcement last year of his return to active politics.
The court determined that Lungu’s initial tenure, served from 2015 to 2016 after the passing of President Michael Sata, constitutes a full presidential term under the law. As a result, he is barred from seeking another mandate.
In response to the ruling, Lungu claimed in a statement that the verdict was influenced by “political manipulation.” The 68-year-old has previously faced allegations of corruption during his presidency, and several of his family members, including his wife, are currently facing graft charges – a situation Lungu has described as an attempt to obstruct his political ambitions.
Despite the court’s decision, the vice president of Lungu’s party asserted that the former president remains undeterred and will continue campaigning as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2026 elections.