Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema has signed into law constitutional changes expanding the country’s parliament from 167 to 280 members, eight months before a national election.
The changes create more constituencies, reserve 40 seats for women, youth, and people with disabilities, and allow the president to appoint 11 members.
Critics, including the Catholic Church, argue the move could favour Hichilema’s party in the August 2026 elections, citing rushed deliberations.
Hichilema claims the changes aim to improve service delivery, while opposition figures accuse him of entrenching power.
