Zambia Parliament Approves Controversial Election Law Amendments
The bill, known as Bill 7, proposes increasing the number of parliamentary seats, reserving 40 seats for women, youth, and persons with disabilities, and removing the two-term limit for mayors
By : Mweru Mbugua
Zambia’s parliament on Monday overwhelmingly passed a bill amending key constitutional provisions governing elections, sparking opposition criticism that the changes favor President Hakainde Hichilema ahead of next year’s polls
The bill, known as Bill 7, proposes increasing the number of parliamentary seats, reserving 40 seats for women, youth, and persons with disabilities, and removing the two-term limit for mayors
Justice Minister Princess Kasune defended the legislation, calling it “a covenant with the Zambian people to promote fairness,” following the 131-2 parliamentary vote
Opposition politicians, civil society groups, and church organizations have condemned the bill as rushed and biased toward Hichilema and his UPND party ahead of the August 2026 elections
Francis Kapyanga of the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) stated he would not “legitimise an illegality”
The bill now awaits President Hichilema’s signature to become law. The move comes amid heightened political tensions in Zambia, illustrated by disputes over the burial of former President Edgar Lungu, whose family has refused repatriation of his body due to disagreements with Hichilema
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Reacting to the bill’s passage, PF spokesman and presidential hopeful Makebi Zulu wrote on social media: “The struggle for democracy and respect for the rule of law begins in earnest today”
Hichilema acknowledged that the bill had “tested” national unity but insisted the parliamentary vote must be respected
