The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has announced that the names and boundaries of the country’s 70 new constituencies will be published in the Government Gazette by April 15, 2026, as preparations continue for the August 13 general election.
Speaking at a stakeholder meeting , ECZ Chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis said the delimitation process will start with public consultations in all 116 districts from February 16 to February 20, 2026. During this period, the public will be invited to propose names and boundaries for the new constituencies.
Following the district consultations, the process will shift to the provincial level, with submissions being accepted at provincial headquarters from February 23 to March 16, 2026.
“The 2026 delimitation of constituencies will begin with stakeholder consultations in each of the 116 districts. We will invite Members of Parliament, mayors, council chairpersons, councillors, chiefs, traditional leaders, heads of government departments, civil society, and faith-based organisations,” Zaloumis explained.
These consultations will be open to the general public, and stakeholders will have the opportunity to make both oral and written submissions regarding the proposed constituency boundaries and names.
After the consultations, ECZ will review the submissions before finalizing the constituencies’ names and boundaries. The finalized details will be published in the Government Gazette by April 15, 2026, and the new constituencies will become operational following the dissolution of Parliament in May, in line with constitutional provisions.
ECZ Chief Electoral Officer Brown Kasaro clarified that the delimitation process would not create new wards, but rather reorganize polling districts to align with the newly created constituencies. He also announced that the 2026 voters’ register will be certified by April 30, 2026. Before certification, the public will be given a chance to inspect and verify their voter details to ensure accuracy ahead of the August elections.
In addition to the delimitation process, ECZ has launched the implementation of the new Mixed Member Proportional Representation (MMPR) electoral system. The Commission is inviting stakeholders and the public to submit comments on a draft bill designed to operationalize the reform. The MMPR system was introduced under the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 13 of 2025, with the aim of promoting broader democratic participation, improving inclusivity, and enhancing representation for women, youth, and persons with disabilities in both Parliament and local councils.
To give effect to these constitutional changes, ECZ is in the process of amending the Electoral Process Act No. 35 of 2016. The draft amendment bill is now ready for review and will be circulated to stakeholders for feedback.
“The Commission invites stakeholders, civil society organisations, political parties, and members of the public to submit written comments on the draft legislation by Tuesday next week,” Zaloumis said.
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