ECZ briefs NRPUP, UPND on new 40 PR seats ahead of nominations

1 Views The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has met with qualifying political parties to explain how 40 new Proportional Representation seats in Parliament will be allocated and filled. The orientation, held on 9th September 2026 at the ECZ Head Office in Lusaka, involved the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity and the United […]

1 Views

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has met with qualifying political parties to explain how 40 new Proportional Representation seats in Parliament will be allocated and filled.

The orientation, held on 9th September 2026 at the ECZ Head Office in Lusaka, involved the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity and the United Party for National Development. Both parties met the threshold to qualify for PR representation.

The session was convened to guide the parties on the legal requirements for distributing PR seats, preparing party lists, and how the Commission will process those submissions.

This process is being rolled out following the passage of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 13 of 2025. The law created 40 PR seats in the National Assembly in addition to PR seats in local councils.

Of the 40 parliamentary seats, 20 have been reserved for women, 15 for youths, and 5 for persons with disabilities.

Under the new system, the seats will be shared among qualifying parties based on the share of valid votes their presidential candidates received nationally. The Commission will apply a quota-based formula set out in the law to determine each party’s allocation.

During the meeting, ECZ officials walked the parties through the procedures for submitting party lists and stressed the need to meet all constitutional and electoral conditions for nominations to PR seats.

The forum also allowed party representatives to ask questions and get clarity on how the provisions will be applied to ensure a shared understanding.

The introduction of PR seats is expected to change the composition of the National Assembly by guaranteeing representation for women, young people and persons with disabilities, while linking parliamentary seats directly to national presidential vote performance.