New Voters Unable to Vote in Chawama By-election as ECZ Uses Old Register

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has clarified that voters who registered in 2025 will not be eligible to participate in the forthcoming Chawama parliamentary by-election, as the Commission will rely on the old voters’ register.

Speaking at a stakeholder meeting on Monday, Assistant Lusaka Province Electoral Officer Charston Hamulyata stressed that only voters already captured on the old register would be allowed to vote, with the exception of those who renewed their registration this year. He urged stakeholders to clearly communicate this message to the public to avoid confusion on polling day.

Meanwhile, Assistant Lusaka District Electoral Officer Victor Kagoli assured stakeholders that the ECZ is fully prepared to conduct a free, fair and credible election. He said the by-election represents a reaffirmation of Zambia’s democratic values, adding that robust measures have been put in place to secure polling stations, ballot papers and electoral personnel. Kagoli also noted that electoral staff have undergone comprehensive training and commended the Zambia Police Service for maintaining law and order before, during and after the election.

Returning Officer Levy Lupando announced that the campaign period will run from 17 December 2025, to 14 January 2026, a day before the by-election. He added that all campaign materials must be removed within two weeks after the election and that nomination registration will take place between 09:00 and 15:15 hours, with possible extensions if candidate numbers are high.

Separately, the ECZ dismissed as false and defamatory social media allegations against Chief Electoral Officer Brown Kasaro and ICT Director Dr Collins Kachaka, reiterating that the Commission has no role in managing parliamentary voting systems and remains committed to professionalism, transparency and its constitutional mandate.