The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) legal counsel, Kameel Permhid, argued in the 2024 presidential election court case held yesterday that the law does not grant the President the power to extend the election period.

The LPM lawyer argued that even presiding officers, who are authorised to extend voting within the designated polling timeframe, do not have the authority to do so once the official voting period has ended.

“This is a fundamental issue,” LPM’s lawyer argued. “The electoral process is structured, and once election day has come and gone, no individual or body outside the ECN can unilaterally alter the timeframe. The president is not a presiding officer and does not have the legal power to extend the voting period.”

Permhid further said that any justification for the extension lacked a clear legal basis.

The Supreme Court will deliver its judgment on February 28 in the case where IPC's Panduleni Itula is challenging President Mbumba’s decision to extend the 2024 presidential election. 

IPC and LPM argue the extension was illegal, while the President’s legal team says the claims are baseless.