GOVERNANCE, Elections, Advocate and Research Services (GEARS) initiative Zambia has recommended that political parties be allowed to substitute candidates who die, resign or are disqualified before elections, in order to safeguard fairness, uphold party rights and ensure smooth electoral processes.
Addressing the technical committee on constitutional amendments in Lusaka yesterday, GEARS executive director Peter Kaumba, underscored that such a provision would prevent unnecessary disruption to the electoral timetable while enabling parties to maintain full candidate representation.
“If a candidate passes away, resigns, or is disqualified before the ballot papers are printed, the party should be allowed to submit a new nominee. This ensures fairness and respects the right of parties to sponsor candidates,” Kaumba said.
He clarified that if these events occur after ballots have been printed, no substitutions should be allowed and votes cast for the affected candidate would be teared as invalid.
“This approach balances the need for electoral continuity with the rights of political parties and the integrity of the process,” Kaumba added.
He stressed that the proposal aligns with Article 60 of the Constitution, which enshrines the right of political parties to sponsor candidates.
Kaumba described the measure as a practical solution to avoid legislative disruption while maintaining voter confidence in the electoral system.
Kaumba also called for constituency boundaries to be reviewed to reflect population growth and ensure equitable representation across the country.
He said the delimitation process is non-negotiable given Zambia’s demographic changes, emphasising that boundaries should take into account population size, accessibility, and administrative efficiency to promote fairness in political representation.
“As Zambia’s population grows, constituency delimitation must be guided by principles of equity and effective administration. This process should also link to potential amendments to Article 162 to guarantee that Constituency Development Funds are allocated fairly,” Kaumba stated.
He further proposed that the public and committee members be given access to the Electoral Commission of Zambia’s delimitation report to clearly understand where new seats will be created, particularly with the suggested increase of six constituencies.
“Transparency and accountability, as outlined in Article 8, are critical. Citizens must know how new constituencies are determined and how resources are distributed,” he added.
The Technical Committee on Constitutional Amendments is convening today for Day three of its public hearing and submission exercise in Lusaka Province.
Yesterday marked the first day of formal hearings and receipt of submissions from members of the public for Lusaka Province.
The Committee will continue to receive both oral, online and written submissions as part of the nationwide constitutional amendment process.
Some senior citizens like Maxwell Mukwakwa, Dante Saunders, Mwaanga, numerous other freedom fighters along with members of the public and civil society organizations have already made their submissions.
The hearings and submissions are being had at Mulungushi International Conference Centre KK Wing.
By Sharon Zulu
Kalemba November 12, 2025
