Electoral Commission of Zambia sets January 29 date for Kasama mayoral by-election

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has set January 29, 2026, as the date for the Kasama Municipal Council mayoral by-election in Northern Province.

The by-election has been necessitated by the death of Kasama Mayor, Theresa Kolala, of the Patriotic Front (PF), who died on December 5, 2025.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Wednesday, ECZ Corporate Affairs Manager, Patricia Luhanga, nominations would be conducted on December 30, 2025, while the campaign period would commence on December 31, 2025, and end on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

She advised aspiring candidates to lodge completed and attested statutory declarations and nomination papers subscribed before a Magistrate, Local Court Magistrate,

“Head of a Government Primary or Secondary School, Principal of a College, Commissioner for Oaths, Election Officer or Returning Officer on December, 30, 2025 between 09:00 hours and 15:00 hours,” Luhanga added.

She said male candidates would be required to pay K15,000, female candidates K13,500, youths K10,000, and Persons with Disabilities K10,000 as non-refundable nomination fees.

Luhanga said all candidates contesting the by-election must present certified copies of their Grade 12 certificates or equivalent as the minimum academic qualification.

She added that adoption certificates for candidates sponsored by political parties should bear the signatures and full names of both the Secretary General and President, or the Secretary General of the party.

Luhanga warned aspiring candidates that failure to comply with the set requirements would render nomination papers invalid.

She further said only five senior officials of any participating political party or candidate with ECZ accreditation would be allowed to accompany candidates into the Nomination Centre during the filing process.

“The rest of the supporters should remain outside the 400 metre parameter from the Nomination Centre in accordance with the law,” Luhanga stated.

In addition, she said not more than two political party members or candidate representatives per participating political party or candidate would be allowed to witness the counting of votes at a polling station.

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