Vice President, Mutale Nalumango, has guided Members of Parliament (MPs) on the rationale behind the Electoral Process (Amendment) Bill No. 44 of 2026.
Mrs Nalumango described the proposed legislation as a critical step towards aligning the country’s electoral laws with recent constitutional reforms ahead of the 2026 General Elections.
Speaking in Parliament today, Mrs Nalumango, said the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) had undertaken a comprehensive electoral reform process following the enactment of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 13 of 2025, which introduced the Mixed Member Proportional Representation (MMPR) electoral system for the National Assembly and Councils.
Mrs Nalumango explained that the new electoral framework combines constituency-based representation with proportional representation seats specifically reserved for women, youths and persons with disabilities.
“The rationale of the bill is to align the Electoral Process Amendment Bill No. 44 with the recent amendments to the Constitution of Zambia, which notably introduces the mixed member proportional representation system,” she said.
Mrs Nalumango stated that the bill seeks to provide a comprehensive legal framework for administering the new electoral system and improving the efficiency and transparency of elections in the country.
She stated that among the key objectives of the bill are provisions relating to the inspection of the provisional register of voters, filing of adoption certificates during nominations, election and distribution of seats under the proportional representation system.
Other provisions include appointment and functions of returning officers, filing of nomination petitions, and empowering the Commission to suspend political parties or candidates that breach the electoral code of conduct.
Mrs Nalumango said the legislation would also address gaps identified in the current Electoral Process Act No. 35 of 2016 and resolve ambiguities surrounding electoral procedures, including the definition of the campaign period.
“The bill therefore appropriately seeks to provide clarity and legal certainty on this matter,” she said.
The Vice President further described the introduction of proportional representation as a progressive reform that would significantly enhance participation of women, youths and persons with disabilities in governance.
Mrs Nalumango urged Members of Parliament to support the bill, saying it represented a meaningful advancement of Zambia’s electoral process.
Meanwhile, United Party for National Development (UPND) Mitete Member of Parliament, Misheck Mutelo, said the Committee received submissions from both state and non-state stakeholders who generally supported the bill but proposed several amendments.
Mr Mutelo revealed that the Committee recommends that a reasonable period of 30 days be introduced in the bill in place of the proposed 14 days.
He submitted that the proposed 14-day period would disadvantage voters, particularly those in rural and remote areas who face mobility and accessibility challenges.
On the adoption of the certificate, he said the party list compilation depended heavily on internal political party democracy and would be more appropriately addressed as envisaged under Article 60(4) of the Constitution.
Contributing to debate on the bill, Mpika lawmaker, Francis Kapyanga, stressed the need for Parliament to enact laws that uphold constitutional principles and promote peaceful elections.
Mr Kapyanga warned that actions perceived as restricting candidates during an election period could create suspicion and instability.
“As such, when we make laws, we must ensure that such laws are ones that will facilitate the smooth holding of elections,” he said.
