Court orders ministers to step down ahead of election

Zambia’s Constitutional Court ruled on Monday that all cabinet and provincial ministers should vacate their posts ahead of Aug. 11 elections as remaining in office would breach the law. President Edgar Lungu, who faces a stiff opposition challenge in the vote, had said after parliament was dissolved in May that an amendment to the constitution […]

Zambia’s Constitutional Court ruled on Monday that all cabinet and provincial ministers should vacate their posts ahead of Aug. 11 elections as remaining in office would breach the law.
President Edgar Lungu, who faces a stiff opposition challenge in the vote, had said after parliament was dissolved in May that an amendment to the constitution allowed the ministers to remain in office until the election. The Constitutional Court ruled otherwise.
“It is unconstitutional for cabinet, provincial ministers and their deputies to continue occupying office after the dissolution of parliament on May 11,” it said.
Lungu’s ruling Patriotic Front party said it would abide by the court order.