Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis has urged stakeholders to propose names for new constituencies that promote unity rather than division in the ongoing delimitation process.
The delimitation exercise aims to increase the number of constituencies from 156 to 226 through the creation of 70 new constituencies.
Speaking when she officially opened the provincial delimitation sittings in Chipata, Eastern Province, on Friday, March 20, 2026, Ms. Zaloumis said constituency names should foster a shared sense of belonging and reflect the collective identity of communities.
She emphasized that names carry meaning and identity, and should reflect historical heritage, natural features, or characteristics unique to the locality.
Earlier, Lukas Phiri, representing the Chewa Royal Establishment in Chipangali District, urged the commission to adopt “Ntope” as the name for the proposed new constituency, as recommended by traditional leaders, while maintaining Chipangali as the parent constituency.
This follows submissions by Chipangali District Electoral Officer Faustina Manjombi, who informed the commission that stakeholders had agreed during district sittings to name the new constituency Chipangali East, with Chipangali West remaining the parent constituency.
Eastern Province has 15 districts seeking the creation of new constituencies under the ECZ’s delimitation process.
By Darius Choonya
