By Mubanga Mubanga
Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis says no district or province was pre-allocated a fixed number of constituencies before the consultative process was concluded.
Announcing the 70 new constituencies in Lusaka yesterday, Zaloumis said there was anxiety and deliberate misinformation regarding the delimitation process.
“In making this announcement, this process endeavors to improve representation by bringing leadership closer to the people and responding to changing settlement patterns including population growth. As a Commission, we are aware that there has been expectation, anxiety, and deliberate misinformation of the process,” Mwangala said. “I now wish to make it crystal clear that no district or province was pre-allocated a fixed number of constituencies before the consultative process was concluded. Claims to the contrary are false and misleading. The Commission is on record as having publicly rejected such claims, reaffirming its commitment to transparency, accountability, and adherence to established legal and procedural frameworks.”
Zalomis described the delimitation of 70 new constituencies at a go, as “unprecedented”
”I wish to remind you that never in the history of this great nation has there been an occasion where so many constituencies were delimited at once. Let me remind you the history of delimitation in this country from independence to date: At independence there were 75 constituencies.” Zaloumis said. “In 1968 the constituencies were increased by 30 to 105. In 1973 the constituencies were increased by 20 to 125. In 1991, there was another increase by 25 making a total of 150. In 2014, six constituencies were added through the creation of six districts which became effective in 2016. This is unprecedented. This is a feat which the nation should celebrate.”
Southern and Eastern have been allocated 9 new constituencies each. While Copperbelt was allocated 7, Luapula 5, Western and North-Western 7 each, Lusaka, Muchinga and Northern have 6 each. The following is the full list of the new constituencies countrywide: Central ProvinceChibombo; Keembe West, Chisamba Mwomboshi, Kabwe, Bwacha South, Kapiri Mposhi, Kapiri Mposhi West, Mkushi, Mkushi South 6. Mumbwa, Mumbwa West 7. Serenje Nkundalila 8. Shibuyunji Mwembezhi West
Copperbelt Province; Chililabombwe, Konkola, Chingola, Chingola, West Kalulushi, Chambishi, Lufwanyama, Lufwanyama East, Masaiti, Kalalangabo, Mpongwe, Mpongwe East, Ndola Dag Hammerskjoeld
Eastern Province: Chadiza Chadiza East 2. Chama Chama Central 3. Chasefu, Chasefu North 4. Chipangali, Chipangali West 5. Chipata, Chipata North 6. Lumezi, Lumezi South 7. Lusangazi, Lusangazi Central 8. Mambwe, Malambo West 9. Nyimba Nyimba North
Luapula Province: Constituency 1. Chienge Kalungwishi 2. Chifunabuli Chifunabuli North 3. Kawambwa Luongo 4. Mansa Mansa East 5. Nchelenge Mweru
Lusaka Province: Chilanga Chilanga North 2. Chongwe Chongwe West 3. Kafue Kafue East 4. Lusaka Makeni 5. Lusaka Roma 6. Lusaka Lima
Muchinga Province: Chinsali Chilinda 2. Isoka Nkombwa 3. Kanchibiya Lwitikila 4. Mafinga Mafinga South 5. Mpika Mpika South 6. Nakonde Mwenzo
Northern Province: Kaputa Kundabwika 2. Kasama Kasama North 3. Luwingu Luwingu Central 4. Mbala Saise 5. Mpulungu Mpulungu South 6. Mungwi Mpanda
North Western Province: Kabompo Kabompo West 2. Kalumbila Lumwana 3. Kasempa Mufwashi 4. Mufumbwe Dongwe 5. Mwinilunga Mwinilunga East 6. Solwezi Solwezi North 7. Zambezi Zambezi Central
Southern Province: Choma Choma South 2. Itezhi-Tezhi Itezhi-Tezhi West 3. Kalomo Kalomo South 4. Kazungula Kazungula North 5. Livingstone Maramba 6. Mazabuka Magoye West 7. Monze Monze East 8. Namwala Namwala East 9. Sinazongwe Kariba
Western Province: Kalabo Kalabo South 2. Luampa Luampa West 3. Lukulu Lukulu South 4. Mongu Mongu East 5. Senanga Senanga North 6. Sesheke Sesheke West 7. Shangombo Shangombo North
