189 elective positions have been decided without a single vote being cast, according to the Electoral Commission of Zambia.

 

With just over two weeks remaining before Zambians go to the polls on 13 August, this year’s general election has already delivered a remarkable development: 189 elective positions have been decided without a single vote being cast, according to the Electoral Commission of Zambia.

The commission says the unusually high number of uncontested seats is largely the result of weak party organisation and poor candidate mobilisation, rather than any deliberate electoral strategy. In each case, only one candidate successfully completed the nomination process. Under Zambian electoral law, that candidate is automatically declared duly elected, meaning no ballot paper is printed and no contest is held.

The scale is significant. ECZ has confirmed that eight parliamentary constituencies, six mayoral and council chairperson positions, and 176 ward councillor seats have been settled unopposed. Commissioner McDonald Chipenzi said ballots would not be printed for those races, reducing printing volumes and lowering election costs.

What may appear to be a straightforward administrative saving has, however, triggered a broader debate about the preparedness of Zambia’s political parties.

The ruling United Party for National Development has emerged as the main beneficiary. Jack Mwiimbu in Monze, Trevor Mwiinde in Choma South, Edgar Siakachoma in Kalomo South, Vumango Musumali in Zambezi West, Clement Andeleki in Kazungula North and Siakole Nchimunya in Sinazongwe are among the candidates who will enter the National Assembly without facing an opponent.

Their prospective challengers failed to submit valid nomination papers before the deadline. The same pattern was repeated in several wards, where council seats were also decided without competition.

Political analyst Ngande Mwanajiti has cautioned against interpreting the outcome purely as evidence of overwhelming public support for the ruling party. He argues that the results reveal as much about internal party discipline and organisation as they do about voter preference.

Fielding a complete slate of properly selected and fully documented candidates, he said, requires preparation long before nomination day. It cannot be achieved through last-minute efforts once the nomination period has opened.

“It should not take the ECZ to tell anybody that you have a problem with your political party,” Mwanajiti said, adding that parties must take responsibility for candidate selection, documentation, compliance and internal organisation well ahead of the electoral timetable.

There is also an important strategic advantage. Once a candidate is declared elected unopposed, the winning party can immediately redirect campaign funds, personnel and organisational resources to more competitive constituencies. Across 189 positions, that advantage becomes substantial and, according to Mwanajiti, currently favours the UPND.

Much of the imbalance can be traced to a difficult nomination period for opposition parties.

The People’s Pact Initiative withdrew support for presidential candidate Fred M’membe following an internal leadership dispute and a vote of no confidence. Citizens First leader Harry Kalaba lost both his running mate, Moses Mawere, and Roan parliamentary candidate Chishimba Kambwili to the Tonse Alliance.

Independent candidate Given Katuta and Organised People’s Party leader Brian Mushimba were both abandoned by their running mates. Patriots for Economic Progress leader Sean Tembo has alleged that his party’s registration records were tampered with, effectively preventing it from participating.

Unlike in previous elections, such disruptions will not necessarily interfere with the national electoral calendar. The Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 13 of 2025 allows elections to proceed as scheduled when a candidate resigns or is disqualified after nominations close. Fresh nominations are permitted only when a candidate dies before polling day.

Mwanajiti welcomed the certainty provided by the amendment but said it also places greater responsibility on political parties to manage their internal affairs effectively.

“Preparations for one election begin almost immediately after the previous election ends,” he said.

The 189 uncontested positions have therefore become an early indication of how unequal party preparedness may influence the final outcome long before the first ballot is counted.