ZMP OFFERS LEGAL SUPPORT AS MWANZA SEEKS DISQUALIFICATION OF OVER 100 INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES
Zambia Must Prosper Vice President Milner Katolo says his party is concerned by the continued withdrawal of some aspiring independent candidates and has since offered pro bono legal representation to more than 100 affected candidates in what he describes as an effort to defend democracy and ensure justice prevails.
Mr. Katolo says Zambia Must Prosper has already filed notes of appointment as advocates and engaged several of the candidates, while raising concerns over whether some withdrawals are being conducted within the confines of the law or under possible external influence.
He has called on law enforcement agencies to take keen interest in these matters and establish whether genuine or not.
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His remarks come as governance activist Isaac Mwanza has petitioned the Lusaka High Court seeking the disqualification of more than 100 parliamentary candidates who successfully filed their nominations as Independent candidates ahead of the 2026 General Election.
Mr. Mwanza argues that the affected candidates filed nominations as Independents while still belonging to political parties, contrary to Article 51(a) of the Constitution, which requires an Independent candidate not to belong to any political party.
Among those named in the petition are Mazabuka Central Aspiring Member of Parliament Gary Nkombo, Patriotic Front faction President Miles Sampa who has since withdrawn, and former Health Minister Dr. Chitalu Chilufya.
By Victoria Kayeye Yambani
