By Ebi Kesiena
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has commenced nationwide public consultations on the delimitation of constituencies and the proposed introduction of a proportional representation system, in line with reforms outlined in the country’s 2025 constitutional amendment.
ECZ Chairperson, Mwangala Zaloumis, disclosed this during an appearance on Zambian National Broadcasting Corporation’s Interview programme, noting that consultations are ongoing across all 116 districts. She explained that the exercise is designed to gather public input before final decisions are taken, as preparations intensify for the August 2026 general elections.
According to Zaloumis, the delimitation process will result in the creation of 70 new constituencies, marking one of the most significant restructurings of Zambia’s electoral landscape in recent years. She stated that the commission would be guided by objective criteria, including population size, geographical considerations, historical patterns of representation and the principle of equity.
She further dismissed fears that the redrawing of electoral boundaries could be skewed to favour certain political interests. The ECZ, she stressed, remains committed to ensuring that the exercise is conducted in a fair, transparent and inclusive manner.
The ongoing reforms are rooted in the 2025 constitutional amendment, which introduced proportional representation as part of broader efforts to widen political participation and make the electoral system more reflective of demographic realities. The amendment also mandates a review of constituency boundaries to address population shifts and disparities that have emerged over time.
Authorities say the changes are aimed at strengthening democratic representation, reducing imbalances between urban and rural constituencies and modernising Zambia’s electoral framework ahead of the 2026 polls.
