THE SILENT ARCHITECT OF POWER: WHY EVERY ZAMBIAN MUST WATCH THE DELIMITATION MAP
In the theater of democracy, we often focus on the actors, the candidates, the manifestos, and the rallies. But as Prof. Cephas Lumina rightly asserts in his recent article on the subject matter, it is the stage itself, the electoral map, that often determines the winner before the first ballot is cast. As Zambia enters a new delimitation cycle, we find ourselves at a crossroads where administrative efficiency threatens to override democratic integrity.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has indicated a timeline significantly shorter than previous cycles. While speed is often praised in governance, in delimitation, haste is the enemy of fairness. A three-month window severely limits the “Three Pillars of Trust”:
Public Participation: Can millions of Zambians in 156 constituencies truly voice their concerns on ward splits and boundary shifts in such a narrow window?
Transparency: Without the immediate publication of revised data and draft maps, citizens are left in an information vacuum.
Judicial Recourse: A rushed process leaves no room for the courts to review and correct potential “packing” or “cracking” of constituencies before the 2026 certification.
Gerrymandering does not need to be loud or illegal to be effective. As Lumina notes, it thrives in the “grey areas” of the law. By selectively applying criteria like “community cohesion” or “population density,” those drawing the lines can effectively dilute the voting power of specific regions or groups.
When we “pack” an opposition stronghold into a single massive constituency or “crack” a community across three different districts, we aren’t just moving lines on a map; we are erasing voices. This structural bias can lead to a “majority-minority” parliament where the party with the most seats does not necessarily represent the majority of the people.
Article 2 of the Constitution of Zambia imposes a duty on every citizen to defend the Constitution. This is not a suggestion; it is a mandate. Vigilance in this delimitation exercise is the highest form of patriotism.
Ask for the data: Why is a three-month timeline sufficient now when five months were needed in 2019?
Scrutinize the maps: How do these new boundaries align with actual population growth versus political strongholds?
Demand transparency: Ensure that the ECZ’s independence is used as a shield for the public interest, not a veil for opacity.
We must realize that elections are won in the drawing room long before they are won at the polling station. If we remain silent while the foundations of our representation are shifted in the dark, we forfeit our right to complain when the outcome feels pre-determined.
Democracy in Zambia is not a gift; it is a constant negotiation of power. If the map is rigged, the future is hijacked. It is time for every Zambian to take a keen, uncompromising interest in this exercise. The lines are being drawn, make sure they don’t draw you out of the future.
The Struggle Continues
Sensio Banda
Former Member of Parliament
Kasenengwa Constituency
Eastern Province
THE SILENT ARCHITECT OF POWER: WHY EVERY ZAMBIAN MUST WATCH THE DELIMITATION MAP
