The Electoral Commission of Zambia has released a set of resolutions following its consultative meeting with political parties, held on 17th April 2026 in Lusaka. The meeting, hosted at Elections House on Haile Selassie Avenue, brought together party presidents, secretary generals, campaign managers, and election chairpersons to fine-tune preparations for the 2026 General Election in Zambia.
According to the ECZ CEO, Brown Kasaro, below is a clear timeline-style breakdown of what was agreed
17 April 2026: ECZ Meets Political Parties
• Political parties meet the Commission to review readiness for the 2026 nomination process.
• Parties raise concerns on political party registration, Grade 12 verification, and supporter pre-processing.
ECZ to Follow Up With Registrar of Societies
After receiving complaints on outdated party records, the Commission commits to formally engage the Registrar of Societies to address registration gaps and failure by some parties to update office bearers.
Clarification Sought on Presidential Residency Requirement
The Commission agrees to consult the Attorney General on what “ordinarily resident in Zambia” means for presidential hopefuls especially the exact period of residency required before nomination.
Grade 12 Certificate Verification Continues
The Examinations Council of Zambia will maintain its current system for verifying qualifications, allowing candidates to use either the online portal or physical verification centres.
29 April 2026: Deadline for Supporter Pre-Processing
• Political parties and independent candidates wanting their 100 supporters pre-processed must
– Officially write to the Commission, and
– Pay the presidential nomination fee by 29th April 2026.
This allows ECZ to organise provincial-level supporter verification ahead of the nomination window.
30 April 2026: ECZ to Announce Reviewed Nomination Fees
The Commission will review nomination fees for MPs, Mayors, Council Chairpersons, and Councillors, with a final decision scheduled for announcement by 30th April 2026.
Future Meetings: Strict Invitation Rules
To prevent disruptions, political parties agree that future consultative meetings must be strictly by invitation and limited to credible political groupings.
Just to Unlock Your Mind
These resolutions offer a glimpse into the backstage mechanics of national elections where legal clarity, administrative order, and political cooperation are just as important as campaign promises.
By setting deadlines, tightening attendance rules, and addressing long-standing registration issues, the Commission is trying to avoid last-minute election chaos.
The coming weeks will reveal whether political parties are equally prepared to meet these expectations.
[Brave Heart News | UnlockingMinds]
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