TO AVERT unnecessary disruptions and what many criticised as a fiasco that characterised the last stakeholders’ meeting, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and political parties have resolved that attendance to future engagements will be strictly by invitation and limited to credible organisations.
This comes after the commission held a consultative meeting with political parties on Friday to discuss preparations for the nomination process ahead of the 2026 general election.
During the meeting, ECZ provided key updates on the nomination process and offered guidance on the requirements for presidential nominations.
Political parties were represented by their president, secretary general or equivalent, election chairperson, and campaign manager.
In a stakeholder notice yesterday, ECZ chief electoral officer Brown Kasaro said the commission will engage the Registrar of Societies regarding concerns raised on the registration of political parties, especially on the failure to update office-bearers.
He said the commission will also engage the Office of the Attorney General on the requirement that a person contesting for presidential election must have been ordinarily resident in Zambia, including clarification on the period of residency required.
Mr Kasaro said verification of the Grade 12 certificate for candidates participating in the upcoming general election will continue to be conducted by the Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ), either through its online platform or via physical verification.
He added that ECZ will review the nomination fees for members of parliament, mayors, council chairpersons and councillors, and communicate the decision by April 30, 2026.
“For the pre-processing of the 100 supporters, political parties and independent candidates must formally write to the commission expressing interest in having their supporters processed in the provinces. Additionally, those wishing to have their supporters pre-processed must pay the presidential nomination fees by 29th April 2026,” Mr Kasaro said.
Zambia Daily Mail