16/04/2026
🇿🇲 Delimitation Done Right: ECZ Moves to Balance Representation with 70 New Constituencies
Zambians, this is a big moment for representation in our country. The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is expected to announce 70 new constituencies, pushing the National Assembly from 156 to 226 seats.
But this isn’t just about increasing numbers. It’s about fixing a system that, for a long time, hasn’t been balanced.
Why this matters
For years, some constituencies have simply become too big for one MP to manage effectively. Take Kanyama for example, with a population of over 500,000 people. That’s almost like asking one person to represent half a city. At the same time, other areas have far smaller, more manageable populations.
That gap has been growing, and it was only a matter of time before something had to give.
The reality on the ground
Some constituencies have stretched MPs to the limit, both in terms of population and geography:
• Places like Keembe, Kaphiri, and Katobola cover vast rural areas that are difficult to navigate.
• In areas like Livingstone and Lufwanyama, you’re dealing with busy tourism and mining zones.
• Constituencies such as Kasempa, Solwezi, Zambezi, and Sesheke are so large that just moving across them can take days.
• Then you have high-density urban areas like Kanyama, Mandevu, and Chongwe, where the population alone makes effective engagement a challenge.
On the other hand, places on the Copperbelt are more compact. Even though they are densely populated, they are easier to manage because of how concentrated everything is.
So this exercise isn’t random. It’s about bringing some level of fairness and practicality into how constituencies are structured.
Credit where it’s due
The ECZ didn’t just sit in offices drawing lines on a map. They went out, engaged communities, and listened.
There were moments where they even paused the process to get it right. In Muchinga, concerns about population imbalances in Mpika forced deeper consultations. In Eastern Province, when traditional leaders felt left out, the commission acknowledged it and committed to fixing the gap.
That kind of approach matters. It shows this process wasn’t rushed or careless.
The noise you’ll hear
Of course, not everyone will agree. There will be claims of gerrymandering or complaints about timelines. That’s expected in any process like this.
But the demand for more constituencies hasn’t come from nowhere. Communities themselves have been pushing for better representation, in some cases even asking for more than what’s being proposed.
The bottom line
If done properly, this change means your MP becomes more accessible, your concerns are heard faster, and representation starts to feel real again.
That’s what this is really about.