The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is set to unveil the 40 Members of Parliament selected under the country’s new proportional representation system.
The new system was introduced through the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 13 of 2025, which provides for 40 proportional representation seats in the National Assembly. The seats are allocated as 20 for women, 15 for youth and five for persons with disabilities.
According to ECZ Corporate Affairs Manager Patricia Luhanga, the commission has completed the distribution of the seats to qualifying political parties. The allocation is based on the total valid votes obtained by eligible political parties’ presidential candidates at national level, using the quota-based formula provided for under the law.
Political parties have already submitted their respective party lists for consideration. The ECZ says two political parties have qualified for the National Assembly proportional representation seats: the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity and the United Party for National Development.
The commission has scheduled Friday, September 18, 2026, for the candidates to appear before the returning officer for the validation of the submitted party lists. The event will be held at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.
The proportional representation system forms part of Zambia’s new mixed-member electoral framework, which combines constituency-based representation with reserved seats for women, youth and persons with disabilities.
