The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has announced that members of the public will have only one day to submit representations and objections during the ongoing delimitation exercise ahead of the August 2026 general elections.
The Commission stated that the one-day submission window is provided for under the legal framework governing the delimitation process. It explained that the timeline is intended to ensure that the exercise is conducted within constitutional requirements while maintaining order and consistency throughout the process.
Delimitation involves the review and adjustment of constituency and ward boundaries to ensure equitable representation based on population changes and administrative considerations. As part of the process, the ECZ is required to publish preliminary proposals outlining proposed boundary changes before allowing stakeholders to make submissions.
According to the Commission, once the proposals are published, stakeholders including members of the public, political parties, traditional leaders, and other interested parties will be allowed to submit their views within the designated one-day period. Submissions made outside the stipulated timeframe will not be considered.
The ECZ said the one-day submission period should not be interpreted as an attempt to restrict public participation. Instead, it said the process includes prior stages that allow stakeholders to familiarise themselves with proposed changes and prepare their representations in advance.
The Commission further explained that delimitation is a technical exercise guided by constitutional principles, population data, geographic factors, and administrative efficiency. Public input, it said, remains important in highlighting local concerns that may not be fully captured through statistical data alone.
Concerns have been raised in some quarters regarding the brevity of the submission window. In response, the ECZ maintained that the process is structured to balance inclusivity with the need to complete the exercise within legally prescribed timelines. It said adequate notice would be provided to ensure that stakeholders are aware of the submission date and procedures.
The Commission also stressed that delimitation decisions are not influenced by political considerations. It said the exercise is conducted independently and objectively, with the aim of strengthening electoral fairness and representation.
As Zambia prepares for the 2026 general elections, the delimitation exercise is expected to play a critical role in shaping constituency and ward boundaries across the country. These boundaries will determine voter representation in the National Assembly and local government structures.
The ECZ reiterated its commitment to transparency and adherence to the law throughout the delimitation process. It encouraged stakeholders to engage constructively and to make use of the submission opportunity within the specified timeframe.
The outcome of the exercise will form the basis for electoral boundaries used in the August polls, influencing how communities are represented and how electoral administration is carried out nationwide.
And when people say this issue of Bill 7 was rushed, the praise singers still object. Sad for our country!
This story is a lie.
Let’s look at the facts as stated in your other story:
“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.“
If my ability to calculate is correct, that’s 5 days..
“submissions being accepted at provincial headquarters from February 23 to March 16, 2026” -that is 3 weeks.
As a newspaper your lying is now pathetic.