ECZ increases nomination fees for August polls

The Electoral Commission of Zambia has revised upward nomination fees for candidates contesting in the August 13 general election, introducing new charges across presidential, parliamentary and local government categories.

According to the revised structure, male presidential candidates will now pay K100,000 while female candidates will pay K80,000.

Youth and persons with disabilities seeking to contest the presidency will pay K60,000.

Parliamentary candidates will pay K17,000 for male candidates and K14,000 for female candidates, while youths and persons with disabilities will pay reduced fees.

The revised structure also affects mayoral, council chairperson and councillor candidates across the country.

The ECZ announced the changes through an official notice issued yesterday as part of preparations for the August elections.

The revised fees immediately triggered political discussion because of concerns that higher nomination costs may disadvantage smaller political parties and independent candidates already facing financial pressure.

Some political players argue that increased election costs risk narrowing participation by making it more difficult for emerging candidates to enter competitive races.

The Electoral Commission, however, continues emphasising professionalism, transparency and orderly election management ahead of nominations.

ECZ commissioner McDonald Chipenzi recently warned election officers against corruption and misuse of public resources during management of election operations.

Mr Chipenzi said electoral officials carry responsibility for protecting the integrity and credibility of the electoral process.

“As electoral officers, you carry the responsibility of safeguarding the integrity of this process. The public looks to you not only for efficiency, but also for fairness and transparency,” he said.

The commission has since intensified training programmes for returning officers, assistant returning officers and district electoral officers ahead of the elections.

The nomination fee adjustments are unfolding at a time when election governance, campaign fairness and institutional neutrality are becoming increasingly prominent national issues.

Governance activist Rueben Lifuka recently warned that Zambia’s democratic credibility would depend on whether all political players were allowed equal campaign opportunities.

At the same time, opposition political parties continue battling internal divisions and factional disputes as preparations for nominations intensify.

Economic Front leader Wynter Kabimba has warned political parties against dragging ECZ into internal legitimacy battles involving competing party factions.

The revised fee structure also retains lower charges for women, youths and persons with disabilities in what ECZ says is part of efforts to encourage broader participation among underrepresented groups.

The August election is expected to become one of Zambia’s most competitive political contests in recent years, with growing focus on governance, economic conditions, infrastructure delivery and democratic accountability.