Zambia has announced the creation of 70 new constituencies just months before the country heads to the polls for local, parliamentary and presidential elections on August 13, 2026.

The Electoral Commission confirmed the changes on April 16, saying the move is aimed at improving representation, particularly in remote and densely populated areas.

Some stakeholders have welcomed the development, arguing that smaller constituencies will make it easier for Members of Parliament to serve communities more effectively and bring development closer to the people.

Opposition leader Charles Chanda of the United, Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia party says the changes should not be seen as a political advantage, but rather as an opportunity to improve representation.

However, concerns have been raised over how the new constituencies have been distributed. Critics argue that some provinces, including Lusaka, have received fewer constituencies than expected based on population size.

Civil society groups have also warned that the redrawing of boundaries has shifted some wards into new constituencies, potentially affecting voters’ choices. In some cases, voters may now have to vote in areas or for candidates they did not anticipate.

With the electoral calendar already in place, there is little time for voters to change their polling stations before the elections. The changes are expected to take effect in May once Parliament is dissolved.

Stakeholders are now calling for greater consultation and transparency in future boundary reviews to avoid similar concerns.

–ChannelAfrica–