Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis has urged political parties, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to study and understand the newly enacted Electoral Process Amendment Act No. 12 of 2026 as the country prepares for the general election.
Speaking during a stakeholder orientation meeting in Lusaka , Ms Zaloumis said the Commission said the changes are critical because the Constitution now requires a mixed-member proportional representation system.
She explained that the Electoral Process Amendment Act No. 12 of 2026, accepted by Parliament in May 2026, gives effect to the new constitutional framework and ECZ officers will take stakeholders through the detail.
Ms Zaloumis highlighted four key participation guidelines which includes procedures for political parties to participate in the proportional representation system and timelines for submission of party lists and how seats will be distributed.
She added that the Act now extends Proportional Representation (PR) to local councils to increase representation of women, youth and persons with disabilities and the specific formula to be used to allocate PR seats to each political party.
“If you go around the councils, you find there are very few women, sometimes none at all, and definitely people living with disabilities will not be included in this. The PLR now extends to local councils so that we can have women, we can have youths, we can have people living with disabilities,” she explained.
The ECZ Chairperson urged stakeholders to pay close attention and ask questions during the orientation, stressing that understanding the changes is essential for credible elections.
“I therefore urge you all to pay close attention, participate actively, and feel free to pose any relevant questions, it Is essential that you fully understand these changes as we prepare for the upcoming general elections,” she added.
ECZ Vice Chairperson Vincent Mukanda explained that the new law introduces significant changes, including provisions that make the mixed-member proportional representation system operational.
He added that the proportional representation component presents a significant opportunity to amplify the abilities of marginalised groups, especially under the participation and empowerment of women in the leadership and decision-making process, thereby promoting greater inclusivity and representation within democratic governance structures.
The Vice Chairperson stressed that the success of the reforms depends on all stakeholders to promote awareness and informed participation.
“The responsibility before us is therefore a shared one. Political parties, civil society organisations, faith-based organisations, the media, operating partners, and all electoral stakeholders each have a vital role to play in promoting awareness and informed participation in the electoral process,” the official said.
