Courthouses in Lusaka and other parts of Zambia have been closed as the legal window for challenging the country’s recent presidential election draws to an end.
Security personnel have been deployed around several judicial facilities, with some entrances cordoned off and members of the public prevented from entering.
Opposition contender Brian Mundubile, who secured about 38% of the vote, has rejected the election outcome and indicated that he intends to contest it in court.
President Hakainde Hichilema was declared the winner after receiving approximately 60% of ballots, securing another term in office.
Monday marks the final opportunity for a presidential petition to be lodged.
Any legal challenge could have implications for Mr Hichilema’s planned swearing-in ceremony on 1 September.
Lawyers who attempted to reach the courts on Monday were reportedly told to leave.
One legal practitioner told the BBC that three armed individuals approached his car, introduced themselves and ordered him away from the area.
Among the facilities affected are the Lusaka High Court, the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court, as well as a number of magistrates’ courts.
There has been no indication of when judicial operations will resume.
Local news organisations have reported that a senior judiciary administrator instructed employees to stay away from their workplaces because of security concerns.
The communication did not explain what had prompted the decision.
The closures have generated criticism, with some observers questioning whether the move could undermine confidence in the independence of Zambia’s courts.
Opposition supporter Emmanuel Mwamba claimed the shutdown was intended to obstruct Mr Mundubile from submitting his challenge to the election result.
Mr Mundubile has reportedly been staying at a secure undisclosed location under the protection of an organisation described by his campaign as an international human rights group.
His decision to go into hiding followed a series of arrests involving opposition figures and the death of former government minister Mutotwe Kafwaya during a security operation in Lusaka.
Authorities have said Mr Kafwaya was killed during an exchange of gunfire.
The incident, together with the arrests, has led civil liberties organisations and the Law Association of Zambia to demand independent investigations.
Amnesty International said the circumstances surrounding Mr Kafwaya’s death were deeply concerning and urged authorities to conduct a thorough, impartial inquiry. The legal association has also expressed serious concern over the incident.
Meanwhile, preparations for President Hichilema’s inauguration are continuing despite the court shutdown.
The Ministry of Youth and Sport has invited journalists to accompany a government official during an inspection of arrangements at National Heroes Stadium, the proposed venue for the ceremony.
The presidential election held on 13 August was generally considered peaceful by regional and international observers.
However, monitors highlighted concerns over electoral changes introduced late in the process, restrictions affecting the opposition and unequal access to media platforms.
The European Union’s election observation mission said limitations placed on opposition parties may have resulted in an electoral contest that was not conducted on an entirely level playing field.
The mission also raised concerns about the vote-counting process.
It said the presence of large numbers of military personnel at tallying locations could have created an intimidating atmosphere, while reports were received of attacks at some centres.
Observers further noted that results were not consistently entered onto official tally sheets immediately after being announced.
They also identified shortcomings in checking electronically transmitted figures against physical records, while returning officers in several locations reportedly halted proceedings while waiting for guidance from electoral headquarters.
The EU mission has urged the authorities to provide the public with the highest possible level of openness regarding the final results.
It also criticised the electoral commission for failing to release individual results from each polling station.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong