By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA
THE Constitutional Court will tomorrow deliver ruling in a matter where it has been petitioned to declare the nomination of 16 running mates to the office of Vice President Illegal for not paying nomination fees and providing 100 supporters from each province.
Meanwhile, there was no appearance for 14 running mates before court during yesterday’s hearing.
Historian Dr Sishuwa Sishuwa and Alfred Kanda, lawyer, have petitioned the Concourt to declare null and void the nomination of Professor Nkandu Luo (PF) , Mutale Nalumango (UPND) , Brown Harawa (UNIP) and 13 others for failing to comply with provisions of article 100(i) and (j) of the constitution.
In a consolidated petition, the duo stated that the 16 did not pay nomination fees nor provide 100 registered voters from each Province when filing their nomination.
When the matter came up yesterday, only Prof Luo and Mr Harawa had representation.
Prof Luo was represented by State Counsels Bonaventure Mutale, Eric Silwamba , Sakwiba Sikota and other lawyers who included Jonas Zimba.
Mr Sikota also represented Mr Harawa .
The bench of Judges included Concourt president Judge Hilda Chibomba, Annie Sitali, Mungeni Mulenga, Palan Mulonda, Professor Margret Munalula, Martin Musaluke, Mwila Chitabo SC, Mathew Chisunka and Judy Mulongoti.
Mr Mutale argued that a running mate is a passenger on a ticket of the Presidential candidate.
He stated that regulation 11(3) of the Electoral Process (General) Regulations , 2016 did not require that these supporters subscribe to Form GEN 3 of the Electoral Process (General) Regulations,2016 as amended by the Electoral Process (General) (amendment) Regulations , 2016 as amended by the Electoral Process (General) (Amendment) Regulations ,2021 made pursuant to section 125 of the Electoral Process Act,2016.
