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New Heritage Party president, Chishala Kateka, has rejected the Electoral Commission of Zambia’s new campaign calendar for presidential candidates, describing it as a “tool for control” that limits opposition movements ahead of the polls.
Kateka whose party is not taking party in the August 13, 2026 general elections but supporting Alliance partners, said Zambians should reject laws and regulations that offer no meaningful benefits to the nation.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Wednesday, the party confirmed that the ECZ had introduced a calendar for presidential candidates to adhere to for their campaigns, and noted that the measure had been accepted by political players.
“We, at New Heritage Party, are not in agreement that this measure has been introduced in order to bring order to the campaign,” Kateka said.
She pointed to the 2021 general elections as precedent, noting that 16 presidential candidates contested without any such calendar in place.
Kateka stated that no such calendar was introduced and no disorder of presidential candidates’ campaigns was noted.
“The introduction of the ECZ calendar is merely a tool for control. ECZ is not introducing order but rather, is doing this as a means to limit and control the movements of the Opposition candidates. You will notice that the President is not subject to the same rules,” she said.
Kateka added that the current presidential race effectively has 13 candidates, as one of the candidates was in cells on charges of espionage.
She argued that campaign strategy was a key tool for any candidate seeking to maximise chances of winning, including decisions on the length, frequency, and timing of visits to strongholds and weaker areas.
“What this calendar does is to assume that all candidates want to spend an equal amount of time in all the parts of Zambia. This cannot be the case,” Kateka said.
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According to Kateka, ECZ calendar notes restrict each candidate to only 5 days per Province and only one visit to any Province and this thwarts a candidate’s intent to spend more time where they are weak and less time where they are strong.
“Additionally, the notes state that each candidate may only visit any Province, only once. This robs the candidates of their right to go back and do any mopping up exercise in any Province,” she said.
She insisted that campaign planning should remain with the candidates’ teams and not be the preserve of ECZ.
Kateka further criticized a requirement for candidates to inform the District Electoral Officer and Zambia Police before undertaking meetings, questioning the need for the rule during a campaign period.
She said the New Heritage Party had repeatedly raised concerns over the composition of the ECZ over the last five years, warning that the current Commission would not deliver a fair and credible election.
“The introduction of these 11th hour regulations, do not add value to the process but serve merely to disadvantage the Opposition,” Kateka said.
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