AN precedent over 50 political parties were yesterday represented at an Electoral Commission of Zambia(ECZ) consultative stakeholders meeting ahead of the August 13 general elections-less than four months to go.
The Mwangala Zaloumis chaired ECZ convened the gathering as part of the roadmap ahead of the general elections which will be held under the newly system of mix member proportional representation.
Following the enactment of the Constitution, Amendment Act 13 of 2025 introduced an extra 70 constituencies meaning Zambians will elect 226 lawmakers from the precious 156.
It was therefore crucial for the ECZ, as per custom, to engage election stakeholders on various issues relating preparations for the polls.
But the high level gathering, attended by aspiring presidential candidates ahead of the general elections, alongside their secretaries general, and senior party officials, was not without drama.
During introductions, the moderator, ECZ corporate affairs manager Patricia Luhanga, guided attendants to strictly introduce themselves and their delegations and pass on the mic.
However, some opposition political party leaders and party representatives opted to do more than introductions, others becoming disruptive when being guided by a firm but fair Ms Luhanga, who was managing the protocols.
One of the dramatic moments was when Third Liberation Movement leader, Enock Tonga, instead of simply introducing himself, went further to claim that he was the next President, after he defeats the incumbent.
When guided to give the microphone to the next person, Mr Mtonga protested in Nyanja saying “Simunipoka mic lelo, okay, the way you did at Mulungushi Conference Centre”.
“…the next President of the republic of Zambia,” the politician said as Ms Luhanga interjected saying “Please introduce yourself sir…”
An uncompromising Mr Mtonga refused as Ms Luhanga put her foot down saying “no sir, I need to guide…please hand over the mic, sir”
The mini disruption was calmly managed as another dramatic party representative announced his presence by first making the “brrrrriii sound”, before the greeting the meeting, much the shock of the gathering and those following online.
Another spectacle during instructions were the ‘clashes’ between faction political party leaders particularly from MMD, NDC, PF, and UNIP.
National Democratic Congress (NDC) president Saboi Imboela rose on a point of order questioning why another person was purporting to be NDC aspiring presidential candidate during introductions.
Ms Imboela was visibly incensed after hearing Arthur Musukwa introducing himself as NDC aspiring presidential candidate.
She interjected with a “point of order!”, stressing that she was the ligitimately invited party president.
The scenario was similar with some other parties like PF who has Miles Sampa and Makebi Zulu as presidents-both in attendance.
It was no different for MMD and UNIP which both had splinter groups in the auditorium both introducing themselves as leaders.
A faction UNIP vice-president is also heard calling others from the splinter group masquaraders during introductions.
In another spectacle, some politicians protested against ECZ’s decision to have a close door session, questioning why the media only covered the official opening.
But eventually, the meeting was successfully help and ECZ chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis announced the resolutions, among them for the commission to engage Register of Societies to question why some office bearers have not been updated this is in relation to splinter groups.
(Mwebantu, Saturday, April 18th, 2026)
