Zambia’s Electoral Commission Faces Calls for Transparency Following Passage of Bill 7 and Creation of 70 New Constituencies

ZIT- The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is facing mounting pressure to publicly disclose the criteria it used to determine 70 new constituencies, following the launch of the 2026 delimitation exercise a move that has already stirred intense political debate ahead of the August 13 general elections.

The exercise follows the passage of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 13 of 2025, commonly referred to as Bill 7, which empowers the Commission to increase the number of constituencies to improve parliamentary representation. The addition of 70 new constituencies marks the most significant expansion of Zambia’s electoral map in recent history.

Governance activist Brebner Changala has urged the ECZ to fully disclose the methodology behind the exercise, arguing that secrecy risks undermining public confidence in the electoral system.

“The creation of additional constituencies affects voter representation and parliamentary balance. Delimitation is not a technical exercise insulated from public scrutiny. Its legitimacy depends on transparency, consultation, and clear justification,” Changala said.

During the official launch of the exercise at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre on Friday, ECZ Chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis confirmed the addition of 70 new constituencies. Zaloumis announced that the names and boundaries would be published in the Government Gazette by April 15, 2026, and district-level consultations were scheduled from February 16 to 20.

Despite these assurances, Changala criticized the Commission for failing to clarify the demographic, geographic, or administrative benchmarks used to arrive at the figure of 70 constituencies. He questioned why the exercise was initiated after voter registration, rather than before, and warned that a lack of transparency could create perceptions of political bias in favor of the ruling party.

“Without clear disclosure, the delimitation process will be viewed as politically motivated. The current composition of the Commission has already raised serious credibility concerns among opposition parties and civil society,” Changala said, calling on President Hakainde Hichilema to consider dissolving the existing ECZ board to restore public trust.

Opposition political parties have echoed these concerns, warning that disputed boundary changes could fuel rejection of election results if grievances are not addressed early. Legal experts have also questioned the timing of the exercise, noting that conducting delimitation after voter registration may result in confusion and inaccurate voter records tied to outdated constituencies.

While the ECZ insists it remains committed to delivering a free, fair, and credible election, critics argue that public participation has been limited. They insist that meaningful consultation would have required the publication of full delimitation reports, including population data, voter distribution, and administrative considerations, before announcing the new constituencies.

With less than seven months remaining before the general elections, the delimitation exercise — enabled by Bill 7 — has emerged as one of Zambia’s most contentious governance issues. Political temperatures are rising, and pressure on the ECZ to clarify its criteria is expected to intensify, as stakeholders demand transparency and public confidence ahead of a critical national poll.