Church group demands transparency, seeks explanations for postponement of Mfuwe by-election

The Christian Churches Monitoring Group (CCMG) has expressed concern over the postponement of the Mfuwe Constituency by-election, which was initially set for July 10, 2025, with nominations on June 10, 2025.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), in a statement issued on June 3, 2025, announced that the Mfuwe by-election will now take place on August 7, with nominations rescheduled to July 9.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Thursday, CCMG Programmes Director Peter Mwanangombe urged the ECZ to disclose the specific stakeholder feedback that led to the change of dates.

“While the Commission indicated that the adjustment was necessitated by stakeholder feedback, it has not specified the nature of that feedback,” Mwanangombe said.

He called on the Commission to demonstrate, in line with Section 57 of the Electoral Process Act, that the original schedule was not conducive to holding free, fair, and credible elections.

“This should be done in the interest of transparency and accountability,” Mwanangombe emphasized, adding that the ECZ should share the feedback publicly.

He reaffirmed CCMG’s commitment to monitoring the electoral process to ensure it remains transparent, accountable, and credible.

The ECZ had initially announced on May 30, 2025, that nominations for the Mfuwe Constituency and three ward by-elections would be held on June 10, with polling on July 10.

Meanwhile, the three ward by-elections—Ngweshi Ward (Kalulushi District, Copperbelt Province), Kimasala Ward (Solwezi District, North-Western Province), and Mang’unza Ward (Choma District, Southern Province)—will proceed as scheduled, with nominations on June 10 and voting on July 10.

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