Green Party President Peter Sinkamba has petitioned the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), seeking an order to declare the ongoing delimitation process null and void.
Deputy President of the Constitutional Court, Justice Arnold Shilimi, heard the petition challenging the process. Mr. Sinkamba alleges that the ECZ has failed to perform its constitutional duties.
He has cited the Electoral Commission of Zambia and the Attorney General as the first and second respondents.
Mr. Sinkamba argues that the ECZ misinterpreted constitutional amendments, specifically Article 13(5) of 2025, which replaced the previous 156 parliamentary seats with 226 seats by repealing and replacing Article 68.
He contends that the Commission failed to follow the mandatory sequence of conducting delimitation first, followed by voter registration, and that post-delimitation voter registration should be completed before certification of the 2026 voters’ register for the 226 constituency-based seats.
According to the petition, certifying the 2026 final voters’ register on April 30, 2026, would deny some citizens their right to vote.
Mr. Sinkamba further argues that voter cards only indicate the polling station without specifying the ward name or constituency boundaries, which he says reflects fundamental flaws in the manner the ECZ is undertaking the process.
He maintains that ECZ Chief Electoral Officer Brian Kasaro should have initiated the implementation of Article 23(5) of the Constitution to ensure that boundaries for the 156 constituencies are properly established and take effect upon the next dissolution of Parliament, as provided for in the Constitution.
Meanwhile, through counsel Eric Kamwi, and representatives of the Attorney General, Nawa Mulalelo and Kamiji Sakachiva, the respondents have asked the court to dismiss the petition on grounds that it is premature, arguing that the ECZ has not yet made a final decision regarding delimitation and boundaries.
The matter was heard by a full bench of seven judges, including Justice Mudford Mwandenga, Justice Maria Kawimbe, Justice Kenneth Mulife, Justice Martin Musaluke, Justice Mathew Chisunka and Justice Judy Zulu Mulongoti.
By Cecilia Kayaya Mporokoso
