HomeNewsPress ReleaseSPEECH BY THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA (ECZ) CHAIRPERSON MRS MWANGALA ZALOUMIS, SC., DURING THE STAKEHOLDERS MEETING HELD ON 15TH AUGUST 2025

SPEECH BY THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA (ECZ) CHAIRPERSON MRS MWANGALA ZALOUMIS, SC., DURING THE STAKEHOLDERS MEETING HELD ON 15TH AUGUST 2025

  • August 18, 2025
  • Posted by: Admin
  • Category: Press Release
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MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION 

THE CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER,

DISTINGUISHED STAKEHOLDERS, 

MANAGEMENT AND STAFF OF THE ECZ, 
MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA, 
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

GOOD MORNING.


I WISH TO BEGIN BY THANKING YOU FOR HONOURING THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA’S INVITATION TO THIS IMPORTANT ENGAGEMENT.

TODAY’S MEETING IS CONVENED TO UPDATE YOU ON THE COMMISSION’S PREPARATION ON MASS REGISTRATION OF VOTERS EXERCISE FOR THE 2026 GENERAL ELECTION. 

AS YOU ARE AWARE, ON 19TH JULY 2024, THE COMMISSION LAUNCHED THE 2026 GENERAL ELECTION ROADMAP. THE ROADMAP OUTLINED KEY MILESTONES AND TIMELINES LEADING UP TO THE POLLS, INCLUDING THE PLAN TO CONDUCT MASS REGISTRATION OF VOTERS EXERCISE BETWEEN MAY AND JULY 2025.


WHILE THE COMMISSION HAD INTENDED TO COMMENCE THE MASS REGISTRATION EXERCISE AS PLANNED IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF THIS YEAR, CERTAIN LOGISTICAL CHALLENGES, PARTICULARLY DELAYS IN THE PROCUREMENT OF VOTER REGISTRATION EQUIPMENT, NECESSITATED A REVIEW OF OUR TIMELINES.

I AM PLEASED TO ADVISE THAT, ON 28TH JULY 2025, THE COMMISSION SIGNED THE CONTRACT FOR THE SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF VOTER REGISTRATION KITS AND SOFTWARE. THIS MILESTONE PAVES THE WAY FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE VOTER REGISTRATION EXERCISE IN A STRUCTURED AND EFFICIENT MANNER.

I NOW WISH TO INFORM THE NATION THAT THE NATIONWIDE MASS REGISTRATION OF VOTERS EXERCISE IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE ON 13TH OCTOBER 2025 IN ALL 156 CONSTITUENCIES.

THIS EXERCISE TARGETS AN ESTIMATED 3.5 MILLION ELIGIBLE VOTERS BASED ON THE LATEST POPULATION STATISTICS FROM ZAMBIA STATISTICAL AGENCY, AND IS DESIGNED TO COVER ALL REGISTRATION CENTRES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THIS EXERCISE IS TARGETING NEW REGISTRATIONS, REPLACEMENT OF LOST OR DAMAGED VOTERS CARDS, AND TRANSFERS. PLEASE NOTE THAT VOTERS WHO ARE STILL IN POSSESSION OF THE VOTERS CARDS ISSUED IN 2020 AND DURING THE CONTINUOUS REGISTRATION OF VOTERS EXERCISE NEED NOT REGISTER. 

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, 
THE NEW TIMELINES FOR THE MASS REGISTRATION OF VOTERS AND RELATED ACTIVITIES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

  • 18TH TO 29TH AUGUST 2025 – BRIEFING OF DISTRICT STAFF AT PROVINCIAL CENTRES AND PREPARATION OF LOGISTICS DEPLOYMENT PLANS.
  • 15TH SEPTEMBER 2025 – COMMENCEMENT OF ONLINE PRE-REGISTRATION OF VOTERS.
  • 13TH OCTOBER TO 11TH NOVEMBER 2025 – MASS REGISTRATION OF VOTERS IN ALL 156 CONSTITUENCIES.
  • DECEMBER 2025 TO FEBRUARY 2026 – PREPARATION OF THE PROVISIONAL REGISTER OF VOTERS AND CONSIDERATION OF OBJECTIONS AND APPEALS.
  • 17TH TO 23RD FEBRUARY 2026 – INSPECTION OF THE 2026 PROVISIONAL REGISTER OF VOTERS AT ALL REGISTRATION CENTRES.
  • MARCH TO APRIL 2026 – CONSIDERATION OF APPEALS AND OBJECTIONS, AND PREPARATION OF THE FINAL REGISTER OF VOTERS
  • 30TH APRIL 2026 – CERTIFICATION OF THE 2026 REGISTER OF VOTERS.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE REST OF THE 2026 GENERAL ELECTION ROADMAP, FROM THE CERTIFICATION OF THE REGISTER OF VOTERS UP TO NOMINATIONS AND POLL DAY, REMAINS UNCHANGED.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
THE MASS REGISTRATION EXERCISE WILL BE CONDUCTED OVER 30 DAYS. THE COMMISSION INTENDS TO REGISTER ALL THOSE WHO ARE ELIGLE AND WISHES TO ASSURE THE NATION THAT NO ONE WILL BE LEFT BEHIND. 

FURTHERMORE, IN KEEPING WITH OUR PRACTICE OF ENHANCING YOUTH PARTICIPATION, THE COMMISSION HAS SET 30TH APRIL 2026, THE DATE OF CERTIFICATION OF THE REGISTER OF VOTERS, AS THE CUT-OFF DATE FOR ELIGIBILITY TO REGISTER. THIS MEANS THAT ANY CITIZEN WHO WILL BE 18 YEARS OR OLDER ON THAT DATE WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO REGISTER DURING THE MASS REGISTRATION EXERCISE. 

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, 
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT REMAINS CENTRAL TO THE COMMISSION’S WORK. OUR EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS ARE CRITICAL TO ACHIEVING HIGH LEVEL VOTER REGISTRATION AND ENSURING PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE PROCESS.

WE COUNT ON YOU, OUR VALUED STAKEHOLDERS TO JOIN US IN PUBLICISING THESE REVISED DATES, MOBILISING COMMUNITIES, AND ENCOURAGING ELIGIBLE CITIZENS TO REGISTER AS VOTERS. YOUR CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP WILL BE INSTRUMENTAL IN ENSURING THAT THE EXERCISE IS INCLUSIVE, TRANSPARENT, AND CREDIBLE.


LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, 
THE COMMISSION REMAINS COMMITTED TO DELIVERING A CREDIBLE, TRANSPARENT, AND INCLUSIVE ELECTORAL PROCESS. WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT THE REVISED ROADMAP AND THE MEASURES WE HAVE PUT IN PLACE WILL ENABLE US MEET OUR TARGET AND DELIVER ON OUR CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATE.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR ACTIVE INTERACTION AND COOPERATION AS WE WORK TOGETHER IN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS TOWARDS THE SMOOTH IMPLEMEMENTATION OF THE REVISED ROADMAP. 

I THANK YOU.