CAMPAIGNS TO START NEXT SATURDAY – ECZ
THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has announced that campaigns for the 2026 General Election will commence next Saturday, 23 May 2026, and run until Wednesday, 12 August 2026.
ECZ Chief Electoral Officer Brown Kasaro said the campaign period will officially open after the conclusion of nomination activities for various elective positions.
Kasaro said the commission has also revised nomination dates for National Assembly, Mayoral/Council Chairperson and Ward Councillor elections to allow aspiring candidates adequate time to prepare.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia stated that the nominations, which were initially scheduled for 18 May to 21 May 2026, had been rescheduled following delays in the parliamentary adjournment process prior to dissolution.
“The rescheduling has been necessitated by the delay in the adjournment of Parliament prior to dissolution, which is scheduled for 15 May 2026. This has resulted in aspiring candidates having limited time to adequately prepare for the nomination process,” the Commission said.
Kasaro explained that under the revised schedule, National Assembly nominations will be held on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, while Mayoral and Council Chairperson nominations will take place on Thursday, 21 May 2026.
He further stated that Ward Councillor nominations will be conducted on 21 and 22 May 2026, while presidential nominations will proceed as earlier scheduled from 18 to 22 May 2026.
“The Commission has therefore revised the nomination dates in order to allow stakeholders sufficient time to prepare for nominations,” Kasaro said.
Kasaro urged political parties, aspiring candidates and stakeholders have since been urged to take note of the revised schedule and prepare accordingly.
Kalemba