In a statement issued to the media , ECZ Chief Electoral Officer Brown Kasaro said the move is part of administrative measures aimed at improving the efficiency of the nomination process ahead of the August 2026 General Election.
Mr. Kasaro said the Commission has noted with concern misinformation circulating on various media platforms suggesting that the April 15 timeline applies to all candidates. He clarified that the directive is strictly for presidential candidates only.
He explained that those contesting parliamentary, mayoral, chairperson and councillor positions will only pay their nomination fees after the dissolution of Parliament and councils.
Mr. Kasaro also dismissed claims that the Commission has already begun receiving nomination fees prior to the dissolution of Parliament, stating that such reports are false and misleading.
He added that the pre-payment arrangement for presidential candidates is not new, noting that a similar system was successfully implemented during the 2016 and 2021 general elections to streamline the process.
“This administrative measure is intended to reduce the cost for aspiring presidential candidates to transport all the 1,000 supporters to Lusaka,” he said.
Mr. Kasaro further explained that the timelines are clearly outlined in the 2026 General Election Roadmap, which is accessible to all stakeholders.
He urged members of the public and stakeholders to verify information with the Commission to avoid spreading misinformation.
Meanwhile, the ECZ is expected to meet aspiring presidential candidates and their campaign representatives on April 17, 2026, to discuss modalities surrounding the pre-processing of supporters and payment procedures.
Half-baked story as usual.
With such a story the reader wants to know how much, yes how much are the fees!