The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) says Muchinga Province is expected to have 8 new constituencies after the Delimitation Process is concluded.
This came to light during the Electoral Commission of Zambia stakeholder engagement meeting in Mafinga Constituency that saw several stakeholders make their submissions to the delimitation process.
Speaking when addressing stakeholders this morning, Mafinga District Election Officer Joseph Nonde said the delimitation process of electoral boundaries is a vital exercise that promotes a credible electoral process.
Mr Nonde said the exercise is marking a major milestone in Zambia’s ongoing electoral reforms ahead of the 2026 general election.
He underscored that stakeholder participation is crucial to promoting transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the electoral process.
” The delimitation exercise is anchored in the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 13 of 2025, which introduced far-reaching electoral reforms. Among these are the delimitation of constituencies and the adoption of the Mixed Member Proportional Representation (MMP) system,” he added.
Mr Nonde charged that delimitation is a long-term national exercise intended to strengthen democracy for future generations.
He said the Commission will receive both oral and written submissions from the stakeholders during the public sittings.
And ECZ Corporate Affairs Officer Raphael Phiri has called on stakeholders to sensitise the members of the public on the Delimitation Process.
Mr Phiri emphasised that ECZ will not cut any traditional boundaries during the delimitation process.
He said this when he made a presentation on the principles of the delimitation process.
Meanwhile, stakeholders in Mafinga District have unanimously submitted that the district be divided into two constituencies.
The stakeholders through the Member of Parliament Robert Chabinga, Mafinga Council Chairperson Duncan Kaonga and other Ward Councilors submitted that one constituency should comprise 5 wards while the new constituency will have 8 wards.
The wards that will be maintained as submitted in the meeting for old constituency include Bemba, Ntonga, Thendere, Senje, Mudipizi, Mafinga, Mululu and Mukutu which will have a total population of 60,023 while the new constituency will encompass Kakoma, Mahobe,Kalanga ,Vumbo and Luhoka with a population of 42,651.
The decision was also agreed upon by all stakeholders who included the three traditional leaders in the district as enshrined in the principles of delimitation.
what is this giving people peach -meal information. ECZ must give the Zambian people a full account (list) of the 70 expected new constituencies, unless up to now they (ECZ) also don’t know them which would be gross incompetence. How do you meet stakeholders without precise key information ( proposed areas) , then what would be the subject of the conversation?. Note that you are only servants of the people and you owe them a duty to provide timely information on matters of public interest. Its not your information or your program, its the people’s data and program so deliver it to them and get feedback on their feelings.
Delimitation must be based on Area rather than Population!
Population can move into sparsely populated areas, whereas wide lands can’t move into high density areas to provide more space!
Rural areas must be favoured and given more weight for more constituencies.
What is sad is the failure to understand that delimitation does not mean dividing the constituencies. It can mean removing some areas from bigger ones and adding to a smaller ones. But the most disappointing part is to hear that if our constituency is divided into two, we will have 80 million kwacha. It does not work that way because the figures are just from government and are not cast in stone, and may reduce. The 40 million per constituency is not cast in the constitution please. What if Finance Minister says this year it will reduce because of A,B,C,D
I agree with you chalo nkhanza, this game changer which has not changed any game called CDF is a hoax, check the poverty levels in the country. But still thanks to MMD for introducing CDF.Some people think the 40 million per constituency is permanent when it can even reduce depending on several factors
All what you explain shows why delimitation can be manipulable. It is politically subjective. I can do the exercise influenced by where I have little or big support cos if I divide the density of my support I will reap more mps