ECZ Confirms April Gazette Date for New Constituency Boundaries

Zambia's Electoral Commission (ECZ) has confirmed that the names and boundaries of 70 new constituencies will be published in the Government Gazette by 15 April 2026, following the completion and review of provincial submissions.

ECZ Chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis made the announcement while officially opening the Copperbelt Province delimitation sittings in Ndola. She confirmed that the new constituencies will come into effect after the dissolution of Parliament in May, and issued a firm warning against the naming of constituencies that do not yet formally exist — describing it as a serious offence with the potential to disrupt the delimitation process.

Copperbelt Province Minister Elisha Matambo acknowledged that he is aware of aspiring candidates already campaigning in areas they anticipate will become new constituencies. He welcomed the ECZ's guidance calling for such activities to cease, and praised the Commission for the efficiency with which it has been processing submissions. Minister Matambo expressed confidence that the delimitation exercise will be completed well within the timeframe required to formally establish the new constituencies ahead of the next electoral cycle.

The creation of 70 additional constituencies represents a significant expansion of Zambia's parliamentary landscape and forms a central element of the country's electoral preparations ahead of the 2026 general election. The ECZ has urged all stakeholders to engage constructively with the delimitation process and to respect the legal framework governing the establishment of new constituencies.