CSOs Unveil Constituency Model
By Francis Maingaila ♥️
A consortium of civil society organizations has unveiled a constituency allocation model proposing a technical framework for the distribution of 70 newly created constituencies, amid growing public debate on electoral boundaries and representation.
Solomon Ngoma, Consortium Vice Chairperson, told journalists at Mika Hotel in Kabulonga that the briefing was called to present the group’s independent analysis on how the new constituencies could be fairly allocated using a structured model. He said the consortium also sought to clarify its role in promoting transparency in electoral processes, including internal party elections.
Ngoma, speaking on behalf of the consortium, said the constituency model is based on a scientific and constitutional approach to delimitation. He said it is intended to guide public understanding of the process, not replace the mandate of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).
He said the consortium participated in earlier constitutional reforms that led to the creation of the 70 constituencies. He also said the group conducted consultations across all 116 districts to capture public expectations on representation.
Ngoma said the model is meant to support public debate by providing a technical benchmark for assessing fair delimitation.
Ngoma said the model is based on a Weighted Composite Index. He said it uses voter population, land size, population density, and levels of development or geographical hardship.
He said the process was carried out in two stages. First, seats were allocated at provincial level. Then they were distributed to districts using the same formula.
Ngoma said the findings show that fair and balanced allocation is possible using clear and measurable criteria. He said the model avoids political influence and subjective decision-making.
Under the provincial allocation, Ngoma said the 70 constituencies are distributed as follows: Central (8), Copperbelt (9), Eastern (8), Luapula (6), Lusaka (8), Muchinga (5), Northern (6), North-Western (7), Southern (8), and Western (5).
Ngoma said the model balances population size and geography. He said it prevents both urban dominance and rural overrepresentation.
He said some large districts such as Lufwanyama, Mpongwe, Chama, Lumezi, and Lunga did not receive new constituencies. He said this is due to lower voter populations despite large geographic size.
Ngoma said population remains the primary factor in determining representation. He said this ensures equal voting strength across districts.
He also said urban districts such as Lusaka, Kitwe, and Ndola did not receive excessive allocations. He said this is because they already have higher levels of infrastructure and administrative access.
Ngoma said the development and hardship factor helps to balance representation between rural and urban areas.
Ngoma said most districts received one constituency each, while larger urban centres received more due to higher population pressure.
He said Lusaka, Kitwe, Ndola, and Solwezi received multiple constituencies under the model.
Ngoma said the framework ensures that no region is excluded while preventing over-concentration in already developed areas.
Ngoma said the consortium was also engaged in the internal electoral process of the United Party for National Development (UPND). He said the group was invited to act as an independent oversight body.
He said the consortium monitored the presidential nomination process held on Sunday, during which President Hakainde Hichilema successfully filed his nomination in an orderly process.
Ngoma said the process followed agreed procedures. He said the electoral process remains ongoing until voting and final results are announced at the General Assembly.
He also said President Hakainde Hichilema remains a candidate until the process is completed.
Ngoma praised the UPND for holding internal elections. He said involving independent observers improves credibility and public trust.
He said other political parties should also adopt internal democratic processes and allow independent oversight.
Ngoma said civil society plays an important role in strengthening transparency. He said the consortium will continue providing independent technical oversight where required.
The statement was signed by nine civil society organizations under the consortium, including governance, human rights, transparency, and peacebuilding groups.
Speaking at the same briefing Isaac Mwanza, Consortium Chairperson, said the shadow report demonstrates that delimitation can be conducted through a structured and scientific approach rather than arbitrary determination, using Central Province as an illustrative case.
Mwanza said the model first determines how many seats are allocated to each province using a national formula, before distributing those seats to districts using weighted variables.
He said the approach is anchored in constitutional provisions, particularly Articles 58 and 59, which require consideration of population, population density, geographical size, and levels of development.
According to Mwanza, the Weighted Composite Index assigns different percentages to key variables, with voter population weighted at 35 percent due to its importance in ensuring fair representation.
He said surface area is weighted at 25 percent, while population density and a development hardship index are also factored in to reflect geographical and socio-economic disparities.
Mwanza explained that the development hardship index captures differences in infrastructure, accessibility, and levels of socio-economic development, ensuring that less developed areas are not disadvantaged.
He said each district’s share is calculated by comparing its voter population, land area, and population density against provincial totals to produce proportional values.
These values, he said, are combined into a single Weighted Composite Index score for each district, which determines its allocation of seats.
Mwanza said the scores are then multiplied by the number of seats assigned to a province, producing both whole numbers and fractional remainders.
He explained that the remainders are allocated using the largest remainder method, ensuring that remaining seats are distributed to districts with the highest fractional values.
Mwanza said the approach ensures fairness by balancing population size with geographic and development considerations, rather than relying solely on voter numbers.
He added that similar models are used internationally, although countries apply different weightings depending on national priorities and constitutional frameworks.
Mwanza said the shadow report shows that Zambia’s proposed approach is consistent with global practices that seek to enhance transparency and fairness in delimitation.
Lackson Lumgu, Executive Director of GEARS Initiative Zambia, said the shadow report was developed to improve public understanding of how constituencies are created, noting that Zambia has 116 districts whose representation must be clearly explained.
Lumgu said the aim is to reduce public misunderstanding and potential disputes by ensuring citizens understand the technical basis of constituency allocation.
He said the exercise is intended to promote transparency and confidence in the delimitation process.
Meanwhile, Arther Muyunda of the Southern Africa Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) said the variables used in the model are drawn from constitutional provisions that guide delimitation.
Muyunda said the model translates constitutional principles into a practical framework, although weighting systems may differ from country to country depending on national priorities.
He said that in developing countries like Zambia, development indicators must be given greater weight due to disparities in infrastructure and service delivery.
He added that population distribution, landmass, and development inequality all influence how weighting is structured.
Muyunda said the guiding principle must remain constitutional compliance, noting that Zambia’s legal framework provides the basis for fair representation.
He concluded that the shadow report demonstrates an attempt to balance population, geography, and development factors in a transparent and systematic delimitation model.
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