Zambia’s constitutional court on Monday threw out an attempt by the defeated presidential candidate to annul August’s election results, clearing the way for President Edgar Lungu’s inauguration.
Hakainde Hichilema, who lost the election by 100,000 votes, had alleged that the result was rigged and launched a legal bid to stop Lungu retaining power.
Judge Annie Sitali said that there was no petition to be heard before the court. He ruled that a 14-day deadline for a legal challenge had expired. Hichilema had argued for an extension after legal arguments lasted until midnight on Friday.
An independent election monitoring body tweeted the government announcement saying that President Lungu inauguration will be held next Tuesday at the National Heroes Stadium:
Following dismissmal of the #PresidentialPetition
President Elect-Mr Edgar Lungu will be Sworn in next week Tuesday pic.twitter.com/C4QoyBN6t4— Zambia Elections2016 (@ZEIC_2016) September 5, 2016
President Lungu responded to the news by the constitutional court by quoting bible verses on his Facebook page.
“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
