ECZ Launches Consultations on New Electoral Boundaries
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has launched stakeholder consultations across all 116 districts as part of a landmark delimitation exercise that will create 70 new constituencies ahead of the August 13 general elections.
ECZ Chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis confirmed the development during an appearance on ZNBC TV's Sunday Interview, assuring citizens that the process will be conducted fairly, transparently, and in strict accordance with the Constitution.
The consultations, running from February 16 to 20, invite traditional leaders, civil society representatives, and members of the public to submit views on proposed boundary changes. Ms Zaloumis said the exercise will consider population size, geographical features, historical representation, and equity, and dismissed suggestions that boundaries could be redrawn to favour any political party.
"No region will be sidelined in favour of urban areas," she said.
The delimitation is being carried out under the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 13 of 2025, which was passed unanimously by the National Assembly with 135 votes. The amended framework increases constituency-based parliamentary seats from 156 to 226 and introduces a Mixed-Member Proportional Representation system — a first for Zambia. Under the new model, 40 additional seats will be allocated through proportional representation, with reserved places for women, youths, and persons with disabilities.
ECZ Chief Electoral Officer Brown Kasaro has said the delimitation must be completed before the voters' register is certified on April 30. The 70 new constituencies are expected to be published in the Government Gazette on April 15 and will take effect on May 15, following the dissolution of Parliament.
The exercise has been broadly welcomed as a necessary correction to growing imbalances in voter representation. Population growth in urban centres has widened disparities across existing constituencies, meaning some MPs represent significantly more voters than others — undermining the democratic principle of equal representation.
The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) identifies boundary delimitation as critical to upholding the standard of "one person, one vote, one value." Research on electoral processes in sub-Saharan Africa has further shown that transparent and inclusive delimitation can help prevent the kind of contested boundary disputes that have triggered political instability elsewhere on the continent.
However, the process has not been without criticism. The People's Pact has questioned the absence of clear delimitation timelines in the ECZ's revised election roadmap, while some stakeholders have raised concerns that the public submission window may be too narrow for meaningful engagement. The Law Association of Zambia and the country's three church mother bodies have also voiced reservations about the broader constitutional amendment package under which the delimitation sits, though supporters argue the reforms deliver long-overdue inclusivity in Parliament.
The ECZ has reiterated that all decisions will be made independently and on the basis of verified data. As the consultations proceed this week, the outcome will shape how Zambians are represented in the National Assembly and local government structures — making delimitation one of the most consequential steps on the road to the August polls.