The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has officially handed over the long-awaited report of the Electoral Reform Technical Committee (ERTC) to the Ministry of Justice. Speaking during the handover ceremony held at Mulungushi International Conference Centre on 22nd April 2025, ECZ Chairperson Mrs. Mwangala Zaloumis, SC, described the moment as a defining one for Zambia, highlighting the Commission’s commitment to strengthening electoral systems through inclusive and well-considered reforms.
The ERTC, which was constituted in July 2024 under Section 7 of the Electoral Commission of Zambia Act No. 25 of 2016, was mandated to review the legal, policy, and administrative frameworks governing elections. It was tasked with harmonising electoral laws, identifying necessary amendments, and proposing institutional and procedural reforms. Comprising members from various state institutions, academia, civil society, and faith-based organisations, the committee engaged in countrywide consultations, holding public sittings across all ten provinces to capture voices from diverse segments of society.
Among the key recommendations in the report are constitutional amendments to increase the number of constituencies through delimitation, clearer guidelines for election cancellations, and the introduction of biometric voter registration to modernise the process. The report also proposes extending the nomination challenge period to 14 days and lowering nomination fees to allow broader participation, particularly from marginalised groups. Zaloumis emphasised that these recommendations reflect the will of the people and are grounded in wide stakeholder engagement and thoughtful analysis.
Meanwhile, Justice Minister Princess Kasune has thanked the committee for the report and explains that it will be key in the constitution review process currently underway.
©️ Zambia Reports 2024