Petitioners want full Concourt bench to hear 2021 presidential bid

Tue, 30 Jan 2018 09:07:24 +0000

By CHINTU MALAMBO

FOUR opposition political party leaders that have petitioned the Constitutional Court on whether President Edgar Lungu can stand for the 2021 presidential elections want the matter to be heard by a full bench of the court.

In this matter, Daniel Pule of Christian Democratic Party, Zambia Republican Party leader Wright Musoma, Peter Chanda of the New Congress Party and Citizen Democratic Party leader Robert Mwanza sued the Attorney General over the tenure of office and eligibility of President Lungu.

Earlier, Brigadier-General Godfrey Miyanda, the third interested party in the matter, raised a notice of motion to have the matter heard by the full bench of the court.

In an affidavit in support of notice of motion, Citizen Democratic Party leader Robert Mwanza on behalf of other opposition leaders indicated that the matter before the court was of significant constitutional importance and thus should be heard by a full bench.

Mr Mwanza said he felt all the available judges ought to have a say in the matter so that the full potential of the court is utilised.

“Owing to the novelty of the matter, I am of the considered view that all the available judges ought to have a say on this matter, in order that the full potential and resources of the court be attained or utilised.

“I am aware that there are presently seven judges of the Constitutional Court and it is my desire that all seven form part of the bench determining the matter,” Mr Mwanza said.

He also said there would be no prejudice that will be suffered by any party if the full bench of the court was to be constituted by the full complement of resources available.

Mr Mwanza said if there was no justifiable reason why the application should not be granted, it was the applicants’ prayer that the application be granted.