RAISE THE NUMBER OF CONSTITUENCIES FROM 156 TO 186
26th February, 2024
We urge the Government and the Electoral Commission of Zambia, ECZ to embark on a delimitation exercise of new constituencies before the 2026 General Elections.
We propose the each province must get 3 new constituencies which will bring the total number of constituencies nationwide to 186.
We make this intervention for a number of reasons;
1. Better representation of the people and administration of constituencies.
2. Better management of resources. Some constituencies are so densely populated making it difficult to spread projects.
3. As a form of decentralization. Democracy centers on people having power to govern themselves.
4. Vastness of some rural constituencies making it practically impossible for the MP to visit the whole constituency.
5. The population of the country has increased, which comes with greater political and socioeconomic needs of constituencies.
6. The emerging of new residential areas in towns and cities. Zambia has witnessed an influx of new residential areas which did not exist a few years ago.
7. Sizable constituencies will enable MP’s to consult people in their constituencies before voting on laws in Parliament.
Democracy’s tools must respond to the emerging needs of the people whilst it’s core principles, rule by the people and for the people remain the same.
One such tool is people having efficient, adequate and swift representation by an available and visible elected member of parliament, MP.
Silavwe Jackson
President
GPZ
Off course that is a project that needs attention, but at the right time. You are just repeating what Chabinga said but in a different way. Right now we have serious problems that need immediate attention and the finances.
This can be done in Bally’s seond term. I am sure you are aware that it’s not a cheap task. For now it’s important to focus on matters that require immediate attention.
Ba GPZ President, I don’t know how many members you have as it would appear you are just alone.
As long as you don’t participate in the local government elections, you remain another Vuvuzela for UKA.
Politics is about growing numbers by actively participating. How else do you drive the agenda like you are agitating, not worth it.
This , Silavwe ,post ,gives Zambians an inside glimpse, of what, UKA,alliance is made of,,,just for a moment, take a look & begin to evaluate each individual party & its president, what they stand for, check their past & present records,,their manifestos, & their ideological pronouncements,,,surely in this economic malaise we find ourselves in, infact caused by mostly UKA, members, who were themselves affiliated to PF,,you want to entreated,constituency numbers,? Infact, the reasonable way to do, is to even decrease,,if,Infact, by comparison wth other nations, vis a vis the population ratio,,our parliament is bloated,,just like ,we did reduce cabinet ministers,,& abolished deputy ministers, we should also, do it ,wth the MPs,,after all, even, the house debates,,by some of our Law makers, are not so inspiring & leave so much of bad taste, in one’s hear..
Our comment is that this would prove to be very costly not only with need for new infrastructure but payments to Members of Parliament with little or no visible achievements.
Jackson how many things do you want govt to pursue currently?. Govt has to sort out the economy issues first and when benefits begin to be realised that’s when requests such as your can be given consideration.
The country has very limited resources to pursue many agendas at the moment, in due course such things can make sense but not now especially with the resources at our disposal as a country coupled with huge debt.
How did you arrive at 3 new constituencies per province? Shows me no critical analysis and probably parroting someone’s opinion
In fact the number should be reduced to 100. These MPs and other logistics, infrastructure required, funding required per constituency is just too much. At least if we can save on all these plus the fact that CDF total amount will only be shared amongst 100 constituencies instead of 156 then even the allocation will increase.
With a thin tax base and dependence on donor budget support this man wants to further burden government because in his opinion, government is a place for him to make a living without adding value to the citizens he is supposed to serve.
This is what we mean when we say, some individuals may reason to enter government is to help themselves to the treasury nothing else. Zero value addition but loot