Electoral Commission of Zambia sets April date for presidential nomination fee payments

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has moved to dispel misinformation circulating on social media, clarifying that 15 April 2026 is the commencement date only for the payment of presidential nomination fees for candidates who wish to have their supporters pre-processed in provincial centres ahead of the August 2026 General Election.

The Commission stressed that the date did not apply to aspiring candidates for Parliament, mayoral positions, council chairperson posts or councillors, whose nomination fees would only be paid after the dissolution of Parliament and councils.

Read more: Stakeholders warn against rumoured plans by ECZ to remove official mark from 2026 ballot papers

According to ECZ, the early payment window is an administrative measure designed to reduce costs for presidential aspirants otherwise required to transport 1,000 supporters to Lusaka for verification.

Stakeholders were reminded that pre-payment of presidential nomination fees is not new, having also been used in the 2016 and 2021 general elections to streamline the nomination process.

In a statement issued on 4 April, Brown Kasaro,Chief Electoral Officer said:
“The Commission urges stakeholders and members of the public to disregard any assertions suggesting that the payment of nomination fees for aspiring presidential candidates prior to the pre-processing exercise is intended to disadvantage any candidate or political party. This measure is purely administrative, aimed at enhancing efficiency and convenience in the nomination process.”

Kasaro added that the dates referenced in the 2026 General Election Roadmap were communicated transparently and remain publicly accessible.

The Commission has scheduled a meeting with aspiring presidential candidates, Secretaries General, election chairpersons and campaign managers on 17 April 2026 to discuss pre-processing modalities and the payment of nomination fees.

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