Pressure is mounting on the Electoral Commission of Zambia to publicly explain the criteria it used to identify 70 new constituencies following the launch of the 2026 delimitation exercise, an initiative that has already attracted intense political scrutiny ahead of the August 13 general elections.
Governance activist Brebner Changala has challenged the Commission to disclose, in full, the methodology applied in arriving at the number and placement of the new constituencies, warning that secrecy around such a sensitive national process risks undermining public confidence in the electoral system.
Changala said the creation of additional constituencies, announced as part of the implementation of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 13 of 2025, required maximum transparency because of its direct impact on voter representation and parliamentary balance.
He argued that delimitation was not a technical exercise that could be insulated from public scrutiny, but a constitutional process whose legitimacy depended on openness, consultation, and clear justification.
The Commission formally launched the delimitation exercise in Lusaka on Friday, stating that 70 new constituencies would be added to the existing number. ECZ Chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis indicated that the names and boundaries of the new constituencies would be published in the Government Gazette by April 15, 2026, with district-level meetings scheduled between February 16 and February 20.
Despite those assurances, Changala said the Commission had so far failed to explain what demographic, geographic, or administrative benchmarks were used to reach the figure of 70, and why the exercise was being conducted after voter registration rather than before.
He warned that without clear disclosure, the process would be viewed as politically motivated, particularly in an election year.
Changala went further, accusing the Commission of acting in a manner that could advantage the ruling party by reshaping electoral boundaries in its favour. He said the current composition of the Commission had raised serious credibility concerns among opposition parties and sections of civil society.
He called on President Hakainde Hichilema to dissolve the existing ECZ board, arguing that allowing it to continue operating without addressing transparency concerns could push the country toward electoral instability.
Opposition political parties have echoed those concerns, questioning whether the Commission can deliver a credible election while overseeing a delimitation process whose details remain unclear. Some opposition leaders have warned that disputed boundary changes could fuel rejection of election outcomes if grievances are not addressed early.
During the launch of the exercise at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre, the Commission maintained that it remained committed to delivering a free, fair, and credible election. Zaloumis said the institution would engage stakeholders during the district consultations and that public participation was built into the process.
However, critics argue that consultation after key decisions have already been made does not amount to meaningful participation. They insist that the Commission should have published its full delimitation report, including population data, voter distribution figures, and administrative considerations, before announcing the number of constituencies.
Concerns have also been raised about timing. Legal experts and political stakeholders have questioned why delimitation was initiated after voter registration had already taken place, warning that this could result in voter confusion and inaccurate voter records tied to outdated constituency boundaries.
With less than seven months remaining before the general elections, the delimitation exercise has quickly become one of the most contentious governance issues in the country. While the Commission insists it is acting within the law, the absence of detailed public explanations continues to fuel suspicion.
As political temperatures rise, pressure on ECZ to publish its criteria is expected to intensify, with stakeholders demanding clarity before the process moves further forward.
Mr. Changala how does delimitation advantage the ruling party when the number of voters remains the same.
Banaba is another one who is always complaining and…,……….
Like ka Emmanuel Mwamba, and……..
Is always wrong with his predictions………
Or always backs the losing teams………..
Is it his job to be a perpetual opposition figure to everything ????…………
Let’s try to seek ways to positively contribute to Zambias development and development of our Human Resources………..
Instead of fitting into opposition by default on everything
We are here
FWD2041
Complaing comes about by not being trusted
Too much blah blah blah You know why gripe which is gaing ground yet you still not prepared to put a challenger forward
Speak proper English or revert to your local languages
A tribal party has taken zambia hostage and is now building a diktatorship, all because Zambians are very slow and dull?lllll.
You will all regret voting for these tribal cows. Me I am enjoying life abroad. My children are healthy. I fly into zambia once a month undetected.
A tribal party has taken zambia hostage and is now building a autocracy, all because Zambians are very slow and dull.
You will all regret voting for these tribal cows. Me I am enjoying life abroad. My children are healthy. I fly into zambia once a month undetected
Wena Kainyokolile uzisunge, when Lungu was in power your tribal bigotry turned you into a new Castro Chiluba doing all sorts of shenanigans thinking that the sun will never set “kumawa”. HH will shove this down your foul mouth until you dump it down your smelly backside! And all you can do is take it and shut you noisy Kamulomo! Munomwaha mu iteekela kakuli munyelile.
OMG…….
This one is back after that High Blood Pressure fainting in Zimbabwe.
I thought these guys who opposed Bill 13 have nothing to do with that came out of it?
The answer is easy. Corruption Corruption Corruption. ECZ in conjunction with the Judiciary and Community house will fix these elections
To be fair, each province should receive additional 7 seats (7×10)
Good idea but some Provinces already have more than enough.
A looser complains and cower before the game starts. Reason, if he looses he will tell he was set to loose by the referee