Lungu Third Term Will Be Challenged, Confirms Sangwa

Constitutional lawyer John Sangwa has confirmed that he plans to launch a petition challenging President Lungu’s eligibility to contest the upcoming August 2021 elections. His comments come after the President retained his position as leader of the Patriotic Front (PF) at the party’s recently concluded conference last weekend.

In simple terms Sangwa’s challenge is based on the argument that it would be the third time Edgar Lungu is seeking the office of the presidency, despite a two-term limit enshrined in the constitution. However, the case is more complicated because the first term he served was not a full term. 

Sangwa has previously set out his argument as to why he believes a third term would be unconstitutional. Addressing the matter on Phoenix FM this week however he said that he believed people have debated enough and the only civil way forward is to allow the matter to be decided in court. 

In the past Sangwa has set out the detail as follows, “When you read the language of the Constitution, it is very clear. The bottom line is President Lungu does not qualify to stand in 2021, the issue is as simple as that. The Constitution does not talk about the number of times you serve, it is the number of times you get elected… There is no provision for a third term in our Constitution!” 

The legal challenge is expected to be made next month, on the basis that it can only be made once a candidate has filed its nomination for the position.  

Other civil society and opposition figures have previously cautioned the PF they would face a challenge in the courts if they sought a third term for President Lungu.