Archive · 18 Dec 2025
Zambia President Expands Parliament Before Election
Zambia's president, Hakainde Hichilema, has signed a new law to make the country's parliament bigger.
This means there will be more people in parliament, with new seats for women, young people, and people with disabilities.
The president says this will help the country be better represented.
However, some people, like the Catholic Church and opposition politicians, are worried that this change might help the president's party win the next election in 2026.
They also think the changes were made too quickly.
The president says he talked to many people before making this decision and that it's a good thing for Zambia.
Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema signed a law to expand parliament from 167 to 280 members.
The changes include 40 new seats for women, youth, and people with disabilities, and allow the president to appoint 11 members instead of 8.
Critics, including the Catholic Church and opposition politicians, argue the changes could favor Hichilema's party in the 2026 elections and were rushed through parliament.
Hichilema maintains the changes were made in good faith and after adequate consultation, aiming to split large constituencies for better service delivery.
Some opposition politicians criticize the move, citing the country's ongoing debt crisis.
- Who
- Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema
- What
- Signed constitutional changes to expand parliament
- When
- December 18, 2023
- Where
- Lusaka, Zambia
- Why
- To create more constituencies and reserve seats for women, youth, and people with disabilities
- President
- Hakainde Hichilema
- Current Parliament Seats
- 167
- New Parliament Seats
- 280
- Additional Seats for Women, Youth, Disabilities
- 40
- President-Appointed Members
- 11 (previously 8)
- Next Election Date
- August 2026
- Critics
- Catholic Church, Civil Rights Activists, Opposition Politicians