Governance activist Isaac Mwanza has filed a petition in the Constitutional Court seeking a declaration that Socialist Party presidential candidate Dr. Fred Mmembe’s running mate Dolika Banda does not possess a Grade 12 certificate or its equivalent as required under Articles 100(1)(e), 110(2), and 266 of the Constitution.
Mr. Mwanza is also seeking a declaration that Ms. Banda’s nomination for the August 13, 2026 General Election is invalid.
The petitioner further argues that the nomination of Dr. Fred Mmembe as President should also be declared invalid because the presidential ticket is joint and inseparable under Article 110 of the Constitution.
He is seeking a court order under Article 52(6)(b) disqualifying Dr. Mmembe and Ms. Banda from participating in the presidential election scheduled for August 13, 2026.
According to the petition, the Cambridge OCR General Certificate of Secondary Education obtained by Ms. Banda in 1978 is not equivalent to a Grade 12 certificate.
Mr. Mwanza has cited the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) as the third respondent and the Attorney General as the fourth respondent.
By Darius Choonya
