ECZ CHAIRPERSON DENIES POLITICAL BIAS IN REDISTRIBUTION OF PR SEATS TO UPND
By: Agness Nakazwe
Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis has refuted allegations that the Commission redistributed proportional representation (PR) seats based on political preference.
Speaking when addressing the media, Ms Zaloumis said the allocation of PR seats was guided by the Electoral Act No. 12 of 2026, Section 36B, which provides for the allocation and redistribution of the seats.
She said only two of the 13 political parties that participated in the August 13 general elections qualified for the PR seats.
Ms Zaloumis explained that the Commission provided the two qualifying political parties with guidelines on the allocation process, including the prescribed seven-day period within which to submit party lists for validation by the Commission.
She further stated that where a political party fails to meet the requirements for PR representation, the law provides for the seats to be redistributed to the next qualifying political party
Ms Zaloumis added that party lists must be submitted by individual political parties not political alliance, although the parties may consult members of their respective alliances when preparing the lists
She concluded that the redistribution of the PR seats followed the failure by one of the qualifying political parties to meet the requirements, stating that the law was therefore enforced.
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