Court premises in Zambia's capital, Lusaka, and elsewhere have been sealed off and guarded by police as the deadline approaches for filing a legal petition against the outcome of the recent presidential election. Opposition candidate Brian Mundubile, who took 38% of the vote against incumbent Hakainde Hichilema's 60%, has said he intends to challenge the result over alleged irregularities, though the closure of courts and reports of lawyers being turned away raise questions about whether such a challenge can proceed. The situation matters because a successful petition could affect Hichilema's inauguration, scheduled for 1 September, and comes amid a tense post-election period marked by violence and arrests.

Monday marked the final day for filing a presidential election petition, but lawyers arriving at the High Court, Supreme Court and other local courts were told to leave, with one describing being approached by three armed men. Mundubile himself is in hiding, reportedly under the protection of an international human rights body, after the arrest of several opposition figures and the death of former minister Mutotwe Kafwaya during a security raid, which rights groups including Amnesty International and the Law Association of Zambia have called for an independent investigation into. International observers described polling day as largely peaceful but flagged concerns over late electoral reforms, restricted media access, a heavy military presence at tallying centres and weak transparency in the results process. Meanwhile, preparations for Hichilema's inauguration at the National Heroes Stadium appear to be continuing regardless.