Parliament To Dissolve On Friday Ahead Of August Elections

Parliament is set to officially dissolve on Friday ahead of the general election on August 12. The ceremony is mandated by the constitution and marks exactly 90 days before polling day.  

It follows the start to election campaigns yesterday, with both the Patriotic Front and the United Party for National Development out in the provinces canvassing for votes. 

President Lungu is due to file his nomination for the presidency next week amidst ongoing speculation about his eligibility to run.  

Yesterday a group of highly respected civil society organisations – including the Chapter One Foundation and Transparency International Zambia – announced their support for lawyer John Sangwa as he brings his case to the Constitutional Court arguing that the presidential nomination papers should stipulate that any presidential candidate has “not twice held office before”. 

This could potentially bar President Lungu from seeking a third term in office, as he was previously elected twice in 2015 and 2016. 

Meanwhile, UPND candidate Hakainde Hichilema is running on a platform of change, following ten years of PF rule characterised by economic decline.

Marking the start to the official campaign period, Hichilema wrote on his Facebook page, “Another 5 years of this regime would be a disaster for Zambia. Time for change is now”.