By 
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has ordered independent candidates assigned the “Candle” symbol to select alternatives ahead of the August 13, 2026 general elections.
The Commission said it was conducting a review of nomination papers and supporting documents received from districts when the duplication was discovered.
The directive was issued to Town Clerks and Council Secretaries across City, Municipal, and Town Councils on June 6, 2026, under reference EC/101/1/29.
The Commission stated that the “Candle” symbol provided in the Register of Symbols for Independent Candidates bore similarity to a symbol currently registered in respect of a political party.
“The Commission remains fully committed to ensuring a transparent, fair, and orderly electoral process in line with the Electoral Process (General) Regulations, 2016,” said ECZ Chief Electoral Officer Brown Kasaro.
Kasaro noted that the regulatory framework strictly required that symbols allocated to political parties and independent candidates be entirely distinct.
“As you are aware, the regulatory framework strictly requires that symbols allocated to political parties and independent candidates be entirely distinct in order to eliminate any potential voter confusion on the ballot paper,” he said.
To address the issue, Kasaro said it was undertaking a standardisation exercise in all affected areas to uphold ballot clarity and protect candidate identity.
Councils have been instructed to immediately contact any independent candidate within their jurisdiction who has been assigned the “Candle” symbol.
Read More: Moment police disrupted Nkombo’s rally in Mazabuka
Kasaro emphasized that affected candidates should formally select an alternative symbol from the approved Register of Symbols.
He said the new symbol should not resemble any symbol already assigned to a political party or chosen by another candidate within the same district, constituency, or ward.
“All replacement symbol choices must be formally processed and submitted to Headquarters no later than Wednesday, 10th June 2026,” Kasaro read.
He warned that if no alternative was submitted by the deadline, it would allocate a symbol itself under Regulation 8(6) of the Electoral Process (General) Regulations.
“This measure is an important safeguard intended to protect the interests of candidates and to ensure that voters can easily and accurately identify their preferred candidates on polling day,” Kasaro stated.
He directed Councils to handle the engagement with professionalism, courtesy, and diplomacy, saying cooperation would contribute to the integrity and credibility of the electoral process.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments