Veteran politician Prince Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika has written to the Electoral Commission of Zambia expressing concern about the ongoing constituency delimitation exercise and the planned expansion of parliamentary seats ahead of the August 13, 2026 general elections.
In his communication addressed to the ECZ Chairperson, the senior citizen questions the transparency, timelines and criteria guiding the exercise, which follows constitutional amendments increasing the number of constituencies from 156 to 226. He warns that the process is unfolding within a compressed electoral calendar, raising questions about governance standards and democratic accountability.
The letter has been circulated to several senior offices, including members of the Constitutional Court, the Minister of Justice, the Secretary to the Cabinet and the Chairperson of the Law Association of Zambia. The move reflects an attempt to elevate the matter beyond administrative channels and into broader institutional scrutiny.
Prince Akashambatwa notes that delimitation is taking place less than a year before the next general election, a timeframe he believes requires careful examination. He states that boundary adjustments influence political representation and voter confidence, making clarity in procedure essential.
Drawing from what he describes as a multidisciplinary academic background in history, political science, public administration, international affairs, Africana studies, development administration and economic development, the veteran leader frames his intervention as both professional and civic. He refers to experience accumulated through roles in government, parastatal institutions, private sector engagements and traditional leadership structures, alongside participation in an electoral review commission.
Central to his concerns are allegations of limited transparency and insufficient consultation. He questions whether stakeholders have received adequate information on how demographic data is being used to redraw constituencies. The issue of population equality also features prominently, with emphasis placed on fair representation and balanced allocation of new parliamentary seats across districts.
Prince Akashambatwa raises the risk of partisan gerrymandering if clear safeguards are not communicated. He stresses that boundary changes must be anchored in objective demographic and administrative criteria rather than political advantage. According to his letter, the legitimacy of the 2026 electoral process could be influenced by how openly the delimitation exercise is conducted.
Among the proposals put forward are the publication of the 2019 Delimitation Report and disclosure of the demographic formula used in determining constituency boundaries. He also calls for the extension of consultation timelines to allow broader public participation and institutional input.
The veteran politician recommends that voter registration be reopened and extended to accommodate adjustments arising from the new constituency structure. He also proposes that draft constituency maps be released for public review, allowing citizens and stakeholders to examine how districts may be affected before final decisions are made.
Another suggestion involves the establishment of clear and objective criteria guiding the allocation of new constituencies to districts. He argues that transparent benchmarks would help reduce uncertainty and strengthen confidence in the electoral framework.
The intervention adds a new dimension to national conversation surrounding constitutional reforms and electoral preparations. Boundary delimitation remains a technical process with wide political implications, touching on representation, governance and institutional credibility.
Sir, when you were inside and a chance to fight from within but ran away. You will not be remembered much when it come to politics.
He is speaking sense. We can’t condemn his observations based on his historical actions
Bulela…..sicaba sakutwa! Makes total sense; we seem to be in such a hurry over a critical national issue.
They are only in a hurry because they want to fix these elections. With so many things happening they will slip in the fake votes. Tanzania here we come