The Solwezi High Court has reserved ruling to Tuesday June 23, 2026 in a matter where a Mushindamo resident has applied for leave to file a nomination petition out of time.
This is in a matter in which David Katolo is contesting the validity of Peter Ilunga’s nomination as an Independent candidate for Solwezi East constituency during the just ended nominations.
Mr Katolo wants to challenge the candidature of Peter Ilunga on grounds that he filed a false Affidavit and made false declarations in Form 8 and 9 before the Electoral Commission of Zambia on 20th May, 2026.
The applicant wants the high court to grant him leave to file a nomination petition out of time owing to the fact that it took time for him to gather verified information from government institutions on the authenticity of the documents filed.
Mr Katolo wants the court to hear forgery as grounds upon which a determination should be made on whether Mr Ilunga’s nomination was properly made.
“In the eyes of the false declarations made in an Affidavit, we want this nomination annulled on account that the affidavit contains false declarations,” Mr Katolo contended.
Peter Ilunga has been cited as the first respondent while the Electoral Commission of Zambia and the Attorney General have been cited as second and third respondents respectively.
The court has reserved its ruling on whether it has discretion to extend time in which to file a nomination petition following the close of nominations on May 22nd 2026.
Lawyers representing Mr Katolo submitted that the high court has authority to extend time contained in a statute or rules of the court.
Court documents indicate an urgent application was filed on Friday 12th June, 2026 and the Solwezi High Court had set Monday 15th June, 2026 as the date for an Ex-Parte hearing.
However, the 1st Respondent could not be served court documents, and the Court granted an Order for substituted service setting the date for Inter-Parte hearing for June 19th, 2026.
