The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has rejected the presidential nomination of aspiring candidate of the United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia (UPPZ) leader, Charles Chanda after determining that he did not meet constitutional and electoral requirements to contest the forthcoming presidential election.
Announcing the decision in Lusaka , ECZ Chairperson, Mwangala Zaloumis stated that Mr Chanda’s nomination papers had been rejected in accordance with Article 100 of the Constitution of Zambia Amendment Act No. 2 of 2016, as well as Regulations 11 and 18 of the Electoral Process General Regulations.
Ms Zaloumis explained that the Commission established that Mr Chanda was discharged from bankruptcy based on information provided by the Commission.
She explained that the office of the official receiver had written to ECZ on April 22, 2026, attaching a judgment in the matter involving Nathan Sinkala and 109 others against Mr Chanda under cause Number 2022/HP/092.
“In addition, the petitioners in the same matter also advised the Commission in writing and attached the judgment indicating that the bankruptcy matter had not been discharged,” Ms Zaloumis said.
She further noted that ECZ had identified another irregularity relating to the candidate’s adoption documents.
Ms Zaloumis, who was flanked by her Vice, Vincent Mukanda, explained that Section 2, read together with Section 30B of the Electoral Process Amendment Act No. 12 of 2016, requires an adoption certificate to be signed by both the president and secretary-general of a political party, who must be recognised office bearers under the Societies Act.
“The adoption certificate presented did not bear the name of the secretary-general,” she said.
She added that under powers vested in her as Returning Officer by Article 52(2) of the Constitution, ECZ had rejected the nomination on grounds that the candidate was ineligible to contest the August 13 general elections.
Shortly after the announcement, Mr Chanda protested the decision by the ECZ and challenged the bankruptcy claims.
Mr Chanda insisted that he was not bankrupt and argued that the matter was still before the courts.
“I have letters from the courts. I am not bankrupt. We have fought the case and the case is in court. You cannot act on a letter without coming back to me. I am not bankrupt,” Mr Chanda stated.
He further claimed that ECZ had acted on correspondence without giving him an opportunity to respond.
The visibly annoyed Mr Chanda also questioned the basis of the decision, stating that the allegations did not reflect his financial standing.
The exchange became tense as Mr Chanda attempted to present documents he said were obtained from the courts, while ECZ officials moved to conclude the proceedings.
In frustration, Mr Chanda tore the letter of rejection that was presented to him by the Returning Officer to the amazement of Commission personnel, media and security personnel.
The rejection means Mr Chanda will not be included among candidates for the forthcoming presidential election in August this year unless the decision is overturned through available legal processes.
Mr Chanda who was accompanied by his presidential running mate, Charles Tembo and a handful of his supporters, emotionally left Mulungushi International Conference Centre, the place that has been designated as presidential nomination Centre after heavy presence of Police Officers.
The ECZ has lined up a program this week at the Centre which has commenced today up to Friday May 22, 2026 for filing in of presidential nomination papers for political party leaders.
Does this mean having a crimanal offence or jail term aginst your name is of no consquence ???
Who should be believed? A man claiming he has 5 billion and a woman insisting he is broke?