By HAN News Desk
LUSAKA — President Hakainde Hichilema on Thursday signed into law constitutional amendments that will significantly expand Zambia’s parliament, a move coming just months before the country’s next presidential and parliamentary elections in August 2026.
The amendments increase the number of members of parliament from 167 to approximately 280. The expansion will be achieved by creating new constituencies, reserving 40 additional seats specifically for women, youth, and people with disabilities, and increasing the number of presidential appointees from eight to 11.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Hichilema said the changes were undertaken in good faith after extensive consultations with stakeholders. “Some constituencies have become too large to allow effective representation and service delivery,” he said. “Splitting these constituencies and creating additional seats will ensure that all Zambians are better represented in parliament.”
Hichilema, who intends to run for a second term, emphasized that the law is meant to strengthen democratic governance and improve the delivery of public services. “This is not about politics; it is about ensuring that our people have access to their representatives and that parliament can function efficiently,” he said.
However, the move has faced criticism from opposition parties, who argue that expanding parliament at a time when Zambia is still grappling with a prolonged debt crisis is fiscally irresponsible. Critics warn that the additional MPs could increase government expenditure without necessarily improving governance.
Supporters of the law, including some civil society groups, argue that the reform is long overdue. They say Zambia’s population growth and urbanization have made some constituencies too large for MPs to adequately serve their constituents. By increasing the number of seats and creating reserved positions for marginalized groups, the reform aims to promote inclusivity and strengthen political representation.
Analysts suggest the expansion could also have political implications, potentially reshaping the balance of power in parliament and giving the ruling party an advantage in the upcoming election. Nevertheless, the government insists that the primary goal is to enhance service delivery and democratic participation across the country.
