ECZ launches delimitation exercise

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has launched the delimitation exercise which involves the review of the existing electoral boundaries, creation and renaming of constituencies, wards and polling districts. 

Speaking at the launch of the exercise which was held in Lusaka, ECZ chairperson Esau Chulu said the Commission under Article (58) (5) of the Republican Constitution and Section 21 of the Electoral Process Act No. 35 of 2016 has a mandate to divide the country into constituencies, wards and polling districts for the purposes of conducting elections.  

He explained that the law provides that Delimitation be conducted at intervals of not more than 10 years. 

Justice Chulu also said that the process has been planned for over a year now and would be implemented especially with the creation of 30 more districts in the past eight years. 

“As you are aware, the Commission has been preparing for this important exercise for more than a year now. Delimitation as you may know, is one of the Constitutional functions of the Commission and, therefore, one of the key milestones in the electoral process. This process is important as it is a basis for promoting effective citizens representation, Voter Registration and making electoral services more accessible and closer to the people,” Chulu said in his speech.

“You may recall that the Commission conducted reviews of constituency boundaries in 2010 and later in 2014 which resulted in an increase in the number of wards from 1,422 to 1,624 and from 6,456 to 7,700 polling districts nationwide. Further, the Constitutional Amendment No 2 of 2016 increased the number of constituencies from 150 to the current 156.”

The ECZ Chairperson also disclosed that the Commission is scheduled to undertake delimitation of constituencies, wards and polling districts from July to November 2019.

He said the elimitation exercise will involve engaging various stakeholders to review the existing electoral boundaries and that in addition to the creation and renaming of constituencies, wards and polling districts, the process will also involve establishing new polling stations where necessary.

“During the conduct of the Delimitation Exercise, several factors are taken into consideration which include: an increase in population, the long distances that voters cover to access electoral services, developmental and new settlement patterns.You may be aware that more than 30 districts across the country have been created in the last eight (8) years, thereby increasing the total number of districts to one hundred and sixteen (116).  This development has resulted in the revision of some of the district boundaries to pave way for the new districts.  There is, therefore, need to adjust electoral boundaries to ensure that all the new districts have at least one constituency and also to realign the boundaries of wards and constituencies that may have been affected by the creation of the new districts,” Justice Chulu explained.

“This exercise will entail appropriate amendments to the relevant legislation and issuance of statutory instruments. The Commission attaches great importance to this exercise, and it is our belief and hope that all citizens will support it, to ensure that the exercise is all encompassing. The Delimitation Exercise which begins on Monday 8th July, 2019 is a nation-wide exercise that will be undertaken in all provinces and districts throughout the country. During the District and Provincial Sittings the Commission will receive submissions from members of the public and all stakeholders.”