Zambia parliament passes bill to change election laws

Zambia’s parliament overwhelmingly passed on Monday a bill to modify constitutional provisions related to elections that the opposition claims will bolster President Hakainde Hichilema at next year’s polls. Opposition politicians, civil society, and church groups had lobbied against Bill 7, saying it was rushed through parliament and would promote Hichilema and his UPND party at […]

Zambia’s parliament overwhelmingly passed on Monday a bill to modify constitutional provisions related to elections that the opposition claims will bolster President Hakainde Hichilema at next year’s polls.
Opposition politicians, civil society, and church groups had lobbied against Bill 7, saying it was rushed through parliament and would promote Hichilema and his UPND party at the August 2026 vote.
The bill sought to amend articles in the constitution of the copper-rich southern African nation, notably increasing the number of elected parliamentary seats and allocating 40 to women, youth and disabled people, while ending a limit of two five-year terms for mayors.
“This is a covenant with the Zambian people to promote fairness,” Justice Minister Princess Kasune said after the 131-2 vote.
The bill has to be signed by Hichilema to become law.
Lawmaker Francis Kapyanga from the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) said he would not “legitimise an illegality”.
Hichilema – who will be standing for the second of a constitutionally limited two five-year terms – admitted the bill had “tested” national unity but said the outcome of the parliament’s vote must be respected.