Stakeholders in Pemba District convened today for a crucial meeting to discuss the ongoing electoral delimitation exercise and to propose a new constituency.
Speaking during his opening remarks, the District Electoral Officer, Mr. Samuel Chilombo, explained that the national delimitation exercise covers 116 districts and aims to revise electoral boundaries to ensure equitable representation. He highlighted that the constitutional reforms have increased the number of constituencies from 156 to 226, adding 70 new seats to address population growth, urbanization, and emerging settlements.
The exercise also involves updating the voter register, which currently reports 8,861,918 registered voters, including 1,708,405 newly registered voters during the recent mass registration.
Mr. Chilombo emphasized that the delimitation process is guided by strict timelines to ensure transparency and inclusivity. Online inspections are scheduled from February 22 to March 8, 2026, followed by physical inspections from March 2 to March 8, with certification slated for April 30, 2026.
The final Gazette publication is expected by May 15, 2026, coinciding with the dissolution of Parliament and the commencement of the final electoral preparations.
Legal reforms underpinning this exercise are rooted in the Constitution of Zambia Amendment Act No. 13 of 2025, which introduced the delimitation of constituencies and the adoption of the Mixed Member Proportional Representation. The expansion of constituencies responds to demographic shifts, urbanization, and settlement patterns, with the aim of enhancing fair representation across the nation.
During the meeting, stakeholders engaged in group discussions and proposed the creation of a new constituency named Kauba Constituency.
Additionally, Royal Highnesses Chief Moyo and Chief Hamaundu expressed their support for the delimitation exercise and requested the Electoral Commission to further study and delimit the proposed constituency appropriately.
The meeting was attended by His Royal Highness Chief Hamaundu and Chief Moyo, Pemba Member of Parliament Hon. Lameck Hamwata, Council Chairperson Mr. Kingston Handindo, District Commissioner Mr. Obey Habeenzu, members of the District Joint Operations Committee, Ward Councillors, Ward Development Committee members, representatives of civil society and faith-based organizations, political party representatives, and various other stakeholders from across the district.
17.02.2026
#Delimitation2026
#ElectoralCommissionofZambia