The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has today clarified that the headline in today’s Daily Mail Newspaper concerning the increment of constituencies as false.
ECZ Public Relations Manager Margaret Chimanse said, contrary to the headline, “ECZ recommends 235 constituencies”, ECZ does not recommend an increase in the number of constituencies from the current 150 to 235 constituencies.
This was said during the last provincial delimitation sitting in Lusaka.
Meanwhile, Lusaka City Mayor Miles Sampa suggested that constituencies like Matero, Mandevu, Munali, Chawama and Kanyama be split into two constituencies due to overpopulation and inadequate land.
Sampa also added that good service delivery is becoming very difficult and that the constituencies should be split so that the people have access to nearer polling stations during elections.
ECZ Vice Chairperson Annette Nikairo said ECZ is glad that the sitting has run smoothly and will see to it that the submissions from the districts are considered and principles of the delimitation are upheld.
This year’s delimitation sitting was held at Mulungushi Conference Centre from 9 to 10 December under the theme “Not leaving anyone behind, promoting your right to vote through delimitation.”