ECZ Validates 40 Nominated MPs As Proportional Representation Enters Parliament

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has validated 40 nominated Members of Parliament under the new proportional representation system, reserving seats in the National Assembly for women, youths and persons with disabilities for the first time in the country’s history. The 40…

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has validated 40 nominated Members of Parliament under the new proportional representation system, reserving seats in the National Assembly for women, youths and persons with disabilities for the first time in the country’s history.

The 40 comprise 20 women, 15 youths and five persons with disabilities. They were declared at a validation exercise at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka presided over by ECZ Chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis, who served as Returning Officer. The new members are yet to be sworn in.

Only two parties qualified for the seats, the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) and the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP). The UPND took 32 of the 40 seats, leaving the NRPUP with eight.

The seats flow from the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 13 of 2025, which provided for additional nominated MPs to guarantee representation for groups that have long struggled to win constituency contests. The Electoral Process (Amendment) Act No. 12 of 2026 set out the mechanics, including the distribution of seats and the submission, processing and publication of party lists.

“This is an important milestone in the implementation of Zambia’s evolving electoral and democratic framework,” Ms Zaloumis said.

She said the constitutional provision was designed to guarantee representation for women, young people and persons with disabilities. “It recognises that a truly representative Parliament must reflect the full diversity of the Zambian population,” she said.

The ECZ chief said every candidate was vetted against the qualifications set out in Articles 70 and 153 of the Constitution before validation. The qualifying parties submitted their finalised lists to the commission once the seats had been allocated, and only the UPND and NRPUP qualified for proportional representation seats in both the National Assembly and local councils.

Ms Zaloumis said the system would allow women to contribute more substantially to national policymaking and give young people a route to bring their perspectives, aspirations and ideas into Parliament. Persons with disabilities, she said, would now take part directly in shaping the laws and policies that affect them.

In the disability category, the UPND secured three seats, filled by Francis Kope, Misheck Mweemba and Lazarus Hakalebula. The NRPUP took two, filled by Mumba Mubanga and Kennedy Phiri.

The youth category went 12 to three. The governing party’s youth nominees are Donald Mwenda, Christine Mwenya, Mukumbuta Mubiyana, Nelia Shikombelo, Michelo Chizombwe, Jemimah Mwaba, Vincent Musilikani, Lloyd Nsonga, Kabaso Mwato, Nsama Mpundu, Gabby Simutowe and Fatima Sichele. The NRPUP named Chanda Chunda, Collins Kampamba and Harris Muntanga.

The UPND secured 17 of the 20 women’s seats. Its nominees include Chama Chileshe, Samwata Manyengu, Chilufya Chikongolo, Grace Sampa, Ireen Muyenga, Getrude Imenda, Kate Nanyangwe, Susan Tembo, Esnart Sakala, Caroline Katotobwe, Judith Kabemba, Melissa Chikwanda, Chonya Mirriam, Mutinta Musokotwane, Mbolongwe Moomba and Catherine Kantumoya. The NRPUP’s three women’s seats went to Julian Kangwa, Mubanga Kapambwe and Susan Peto.

Ms Imenda, the UPND’s deputy secretary general, said the mixed-member system would lift the number of women in the House. She said women had historically been under-represented under the first-past-the-post system, making reserved seats important in broadening representation, and that Zambia, as a signatory to international commitments on gender equality, aims to reach equal representation of women and men by 2030.

Mr Hakalebula, vice-president of the Zambia National Federation of the Blind, described the allocation of five seats for persons with disabilities as a good number and a good starting point. “The voice and needs of people with disabilities will be heard,” he said.

He credited President Hakainde Hichilema with championing the new law, saying the direct inclusion of persons with disabilities in Parliament would amplify their representation in national affairs.

Ms Mwaba, a former vice-president of the University of Zambia Students’ Union (UNZASU) popularly known as Komanda Kwishiba, was picked under the youth category. She said the appointment aligned with the Grow Zambia Agenda, which she described as inclusive, and was joined after her validation by presidential political advisor Levy Ngoma.

“It is a responsibility I take very seriously, and I look forward to contributing to our country’s development while ensuring that the voices of young people are clearly heard,” Ms Mwaba said.

She also addressed students still in school. “I want to encourage other people who are still pursuing their education to remain focused and determined even as they excel in their studies, that they too can advance their dreams one step at a time,” she said.

The two parties that share the new seats led last month’s presidential contest, in which Mr Hichilema secured a second term with 2,965,326 votes against 1,856,217 for NRPUP candidate Brian Mundubile.

The 40 validated members will take their places in the National Assembly once they are sworn in.