Zambian authorities, on Monday, closed the country’s highest courts, preventing access to the premises on the final day the opposition could file a legal challenge to this month’s disputed presidential election.

A memorandum issued by the judiciary’s chief administrator stated that, “For security reasons, all members of staff are advised not to report for work today.”

Police spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi said security assessments were ongoing but declined to provide further details on the situation.

Efforts to reach a spokesperson for the judiciary for comment were unsuccessful.

Opposition leader Brian Mundubile had indicated in the past week that he intended to file a petition before the Constitutional Court challenging the outcome of the August 13 election, in which he lost to President Hakainde Hichilema.

Under Zambian law, any challenge to the election results must be filed within seven days of the official announcement of the results, making the early hours of Tuesday the deadline.

(Reuters/NAN)