By 
Hector Soondo, leader of the United for Better Zambia (UBZ), has criticised the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) for shifting parliamentary nomination dates, accusing the electoral body of creating uncertainty that could end up benefiting certain political interests ahead of the 2026 general elections.
The ECZ recently announced that the nomination date for parliamentary candidates had been moved from May 18 to May 20, 2026. The development has attracted criticism from opposition parties, civil society organisations, and governance stakeholders.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Saturday, Soondo said the decision by the ECZ had raised serious concerns among political stakeholders who had already structured their preparations around the original electoral timetable.
He said consistency in electoral processes was essential in maintaining public trust and confidence in the commission, warning that abrupt changes risk undermining perceptions of fairness and transparency.
“Political parties and independent candidates had already committed significant financial and organisational resources based on the initial schedule, including transport logistics, accommodation arrangements, mobilisation of supporters, and preparation of nomination documents,” Soondo said.
He argued that the sudden alteration of the timetable had forced many stakeholders to incur additional and unplanned costs at a time when political parties were already operating under financial strain.
Soondo further cautioned that the overlapping of nomination activities for different categories of candidates could create unnecessary congestion at nomination centres, particularly in provincial towns where administrative and logistical capacity remained limited.
“The adjustment could place excessive pressure on ECZ officials who would be expected to verify documents, manage long queues, and ensure compliance with electoral regulations within compressed timeframes,” he said.
Soondo said rather than improving efficiency, the move risked creating confusion, delays, and operational challenges that could affect the smooth conduct of the nomination process.
He also questioned the timing of the decision, saying changes to critical electoral processes should only be made after broad consultation with political parties and other stakeholders to avoid suspicions that the process was being manipulated to serve particular interests.
Soondo urged the ECZ to uphold predictability and professionalism in the administration of elections, stressing that electoral credibility depended not only on the outcome of elections but also on the fairness and consistency of the processes leading to the polls.
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