The Constitutional Court has dismissed preliminary issues raised by former President Edgar Lungu in a matter where a Lusaka resident Michelo Chizombe is seeking a declaration that the former head of state was not eligible for the presidential bid in the 2021 election and does not enjoy the constitutional right to contest future presidential elections.

The former President had asked the court to dismiss the petition by Mr. Chizombe, saying the court had already pronounced itself three times on the same matter.

But delivering a ruling on behalf of two other judges, Constitutional Court Judge Mudford Mwandenga sent back the matter to a single judge and ruled that issues raised by Mr Lungu should be addressed at trial.

Justice Mwandenga further ruled that issues raised in the preliminary are not different from those Mr Lungu raised in his defense in a similar case.

Meanwhile, there was heavy police presence at the court premises and roads around the area as the matter came up.

The former president was accompanied to court by his wife and scores of former government leaders.

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