THE Constitutional Court has dismissed for lack of merit a petition challenging President Hakainde Hichilema’s candidature in the 2026 General elections. In this matter, the petitioner, Charles Longwe, has dragged UPND Secretary General Batuke Imenda, President Hichilema, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), the Registrar of Societies and the Attorney General to court, seeking a declaration that both the nomination of President Hichilema and the acceptance of his candidature by the ECZ were unconstitutional, unlawful and void. Earlier during oral submissions before the full bench of the Constitutional Court led by Deputy President Arnold Shilimi, together with justices Mathew Chisunka, Mudford Mwandenga, Martin Musaluke, Maria Kawimbe, Judy Mulongoti and Getrude Imbwae. Longwe’s lawyer, Benjamin Mwelwa, argued that the UPND contravened...