Tribunal Ends Challenge to Lusaka Mayor Chitambala's Election After Petition Is Withdrawn

Lusaka, September 29, 2026. The Local Government Elections Tribunal in Lusaka has brought to an end the petition challenging the election of Mwewa Chitambala as Mayor of Lusaka. It did so without hearing the case. In a ruling dated September 24, 2026, the tribunal granted Gabriel Isaac Kibombwe leave to withdraw his petition. The tribunal declared that Mr Chitambala, the first respondent, remains duly elected as Mayor for Lusaka District. It made no order as to costs, so each side bears its own legal bills. Mr Kibombwe had challenged the outcome of the Lusaka mayoral election held on August 13, 2026. The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) was the second respondent. The case was registered as 2026/EP/LGET/001. The withdrawal came by agreement. The tribunal said the parties filed a notice of intention to withdraw the petition, an application for leave to withdraw, a notice of hearing and a signed consent. It found all of them on record. It said the application was made under sections 103 and 104 of the Electoral Process Act and Rule 28 of the Local Government Elections Tribunal Rules, and that the law had been followed. A separate order for leave to discontinue the petition records that the tribunal heard counsel for the parties and considered the joint notice and the signed consent order. It then granted leave to discontinue. The chairperson, D. Makalicha, and members Nikombe Chabulembwa Chilufya and Muka Nyambe signed the ruling. Mr Kibombwe was represented by Mr T. Munalula of Munati Chambers. Mr Chitambala was represented by Mr M. Iungu of GDC Chambers and Ms M. Mwiinga of PNP Advocates. The ECZ was represented by Mrs A. Sinyangwe and Mr E. M. Kamwi of EMK and Associates. The outcome settles who is Mayor, but it leaves the public with little to go on. The tribunal did not examine the petitioner's claims or the conduct of the poll, so it made no finding on whether the election was free and fair. The ruling and order also do not state the grounds of the peti