By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA
THE State has applied to be joined to a matter where lawyer John Sangwa has petitioned the Constitutional Court to compel the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to amend the affidavit for Presidential candidate/ Running mate by including a paragraph which says “I have not twice held office as President.”
Mr Sangwa stated that the said paragraph will comply with Article 106 (3) of the Constitution. He cited ECZ as the respon- dent in the matter.
In an application for joinder, chief state advocate in the Attorney General’s chamber, Mr Josiah Simachela, stated that the petition by Mr Sangwa raises public interest issues relating to the process of con- ducting elections in Zambia.
“That further, the petition herein also has implication of amending the law as con- tained in the Electoral Process (General) Regulations statuto- ry instrument no 63 of 2016,” he stated. The State contends that neither Mr Sangwa nor ECZ will be prejudiced by granting them the application. Article 106 (3) states: A per- son who has twice held office as President is not eligible for election as President.
