Former Foreign Affairs Minister under the PF Regime Joe Malanji has lost his Kwacha seat following the nullification of his election by the Lusaka High Court.
Lusaka High Court Judge, Kazimbe Chenda has delivered the verdict.
Judge Chenda has observed that Mr Malanji did not qualify to contest the Kwacha seat because he does not have a grade 12 Certificate as a minimum qualification.
Losing UPND candidate Charles Mulenga had petitioned against Mr Malanji citing three grounds of electoral malpractice.
Mr. Mulenga further contended that Mr Malanji has no minimum academic qualifications to stand as a member of parliament as required by the law.
Delivering the ruling Judge Chenda dismissed Mr Mulenga’s two grounds relating to malpractice on account of lack of merit.
Judge Chenda has however upheld Mr. Mulenga’s third ground that Mr. Malanji has no minimum qualification to contest parliamentary elections pursuant to article 70 sub-article one clause “D” of the constitution.
In an interview shortly after the delivery of the judgment, Mr Malanji expressed disappointment over the verdict, justifying that the Electoral Commission of Zambia-ECZ allowed him to contest the parliamentary polls.
In another case, Judge Chenda has upheld the election of Tasila Lungu Mwansa as Chawama Member of Parliament.
Judge Chenda ruled that Ms Mwansa was duly elected.
Ms Mwansa was petitioned by UPND Chawama losing candidate Potipher Tembo.
Other seats whose elections have been upheld are Matero and Mandevu.
