HICHILEMA KICK STARTS ELECTORAL REFORMS AHEAD OF 2026 ELECTIONS
HICHILEMA KICK STARTS ELECTORAL REFORMS AHEAD OF 2026 ELECTIONS
President Hakainde Hichilema has kick started reforms in the electoral act ahead of 2026 elections reports Asa Manda.
When officially opening Parliament last Friday, President Hichilema said his administration would look into the constitution to address what he calls lacunas that would delay elections for eight or nine years.
But stakeholders such as the opposition, civil society and Law Association of Zambia say there is no lacuna in the holding of elections. They have accused Hichilema of wanting to use the constitution amendments to sneak in clauses that would prolong his stay in government.
Information obtained by Zambian Eye today indicate that the plan to reform the electoral act is set and in motion to start this month end in September.
A seasoned politician Rabson Chongo who served as lawmaker and Minister of Finance under UNIP has been appointed to spearhead the electoral reforms.
The issues so far hanging around the 2026 elections also according to those close to the powers that be include a decision on whether former president Edgar Lungu is eligible to contest.
The UPND is working towards having Lungu barred from contesting but PF says such a decision would mean nullifying Hichilema’s 2021 election. If Lungu was eligible to contest 2021 then he is also eligible to contest 2026 that is the PF standing argument point. The case is however in the Constitutional Court.
As time is ticking fast with almost only a year for UPND to make any necessary changes to the law it looks the party is not leaving anything to chance.
See the information released on the electoral reforms:
Electoral Reforms Underway. Here are the highlights;
✅ The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has initiated a nationwide engagement with stakeholders as part of the ongoing electoral reform process.
✅ The aim of this exercise is to enhance Zambia’s electoral framework.
✅️ Meanwhile, Rabbison Chongo, a former Member of Parliament and Minister of Finance has been appointed as Chairperson of the Electoral Reform Technical Committee (ERTC).
✅️Mr. Chongo brings vast experience from his participation in the National Constitutional Conference, and his experience will add value to the reform agenda.
✅️The ECZ identified concerns around Article 52 of the Constitution, particularly regarding candidate withdrawals resulting in disruptions in the election process.
✅️Article 52(6) has been exploited in some cases, leading to unnecessary cancellations and financial burdens on both the ECZ and candidates.
✅️Qualifications for Mayor and Council Chairpersons are not clearly defined, unlike the qualifications for President, MPs, and councillors.
✅️ On the other hand, the two-month non-affiliation requirement for independents is seen as impractical in general elections.
✅️Ambiguities also exist between the Electoral Process Act and Article 81(3), leading to confusion on campaign commencement relative to Parliament’s dissolution.
✅️The ECZ has called on all Zambians, political parties, and Civil Society Organisations to submit their proposals for electoral law amendments.
✅️The reforms will address gaps in Zambia’s electoral process ahead of the 2026 General Elections.
✅ Provincial stakeholder engagement meetings are scheduled for 30th September 2024.