Masebo challenges Chongwe East result over alleged malpractice

The 13 August election is still being fought — in the courts. Former minister Sylvia Masebo has told the Lusaka High Court that the Chongwe East parliamentary result should be overturned, alleging malpractice in the poll that cost her the seat.

Masebo, a senior UPND figure and veteran of multiple administrations, lost the constituency in August's general election. Her petition alleges irregularities serious enough to void the result; the respondent has yet to present a full defence, and the claims remain allegations until tested in evidence.

The case joins a queue of petitions flowing from the general election — including the Lusaka mayoral petition, which this week moved to full hearing after the Local Government Elections Tribunal threw out preliminary objections.

The constitutional clock matters here: election petitions run on tight statutory timelines, and the courts have historically been reluctant to nullify results without compelling proof of material effect on the outcome. Whatever the Chongwe East verdict, the petitions docket will shape the early legitimacy arguments of the 14th National Assembly.