Ruling party to abide by court order for ministers to leave posts before polls

August 9, 2016 6:25 AM

President Edgar Lungu, who faces a stiff opposition challenge in the vote, had said after parliament was dissolved in May

Zambia's President Edgar Lungu speaks at a rally in the capital Lusaka, Zambia January 19, 2015.

Zambia's ruling party will abide by a ruling by the Constitutional Court order that government ministers should leave their posts before the national election on Thursday, it said on Monday.

"Today's (court) decision ... gives credence to a robust and independent judiciary that Zambia has where the courts can enter judgements against the state," the PF said in a statement.

President Edgar Lungu, who faces a stiff opposition challenge in the vote, had said after parliament was dissolved in May that an amendment to the constitution allowed the ministers to remain in office until the election. The Constitutional Court ruled otherwise.