Zambia's Supreme Court returns ruling on government party's presidential nominee

LUSAKA, Zambia, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Zambia's Supreme Court has rejected a lower court's decision naming Defense Minister Edgar Lungu the presidential nominee of the country's ruling party.

Legal intervention was originally sought earlier this month after the fractured Patriotic Front became split over who to nominate to succeed President Michael Sata, who died Oct. 28. One faction had already nominated Lungu while another faction later selected Deputy Minister of Commerce Miles Sampa.

Lusaka's High Court ruled in favor of Lungu and Sampa appealed the decision to the Supreme Court.

On Monday, the Supreme Court issued its determination, finding the High Court failed to consider Sampa's -- and others' -- claims.

"In our view, therefore, this matter ought to be sent back to the learned Judge to consider inter parte the application that was before her. For that reason we leave the decision on the arguments relating to knowledge of the proceedings and interest to the lower court," Supreme Court Judge Evans Hamaundu said.

For now, however, Lungu will remain the official party candidate for as long as the High Court's consent judgment stands.

Legal processes in Zambia can reportedly take up to five years to conclude, lowering the likelihood that Sampa will be able to submit a timely official party nomination to the to the Electoral Commission of Zambia. Nominations are due between Wednesday and Friday.