Zambia judiciary closes, final day to challenge Hichilema's election win

Zambia’s judiciary shut its doors on Monday, marking the final day for any court challenge to President‑elect Hakainde Hichilema’s election victory. The closure came after the Supreme Court’s deadline for filing petitions expired, leaving the electoral outcome unaltered. The decision effectively ended the legal avenue for opposition parties to contest the results.

The challenge, lodged by the United Party for National Development (UPND) and its allies, alleged irregularities in the voting process and questioned the validity of certain ballots. However, the court rejected the petitions on procedural grounds, citing the failure to meet the statutory filing window. With the judiciary closed, the ruling party’s claim of a legitimate win stands unchallenged.

The finality of the court’s decision confirms Hichilema’s status as Zambia’s president, concluding the post‑election legal dispute and allowing the new administration to proceed with its agenda.