Zambia
Africa · zm
Presidential republic with a two-round presidential election and a mixed National Assembly: constituency seats, proportional inclusion seats and limited presidential nominations.
Profile last reviewed July 23, 2026
Zambians elect the president, National Assembly and local government on the same day. The president must receive more than 50% of valid votes or face a run-off. Following the 2025 constitutional amendment, the Assembly combines 226 constituency seats with 40 proportional seats reserved across women, youth and persons with disabilities, plus up to 11 nominated members.
How voting works today
- Voting age
- 18 and over
- Voter registration
- Voter-initiated
- Identification
- Photo ID required
- Compulsory voting
- No
- Postal voting
- Not available
- Early voting
- Not available
- Online voting
- Not available
- Voting from abroad
- Not available
Registration requires Zambian citizenship, age 18, ordinary residence and a green National Registration Card. The Commission states that eligible prisoners may register. Voting is in person using a voter card and identification.
How the franchise changed
Every entry records a change in who could vote, or how — expansions, restrictions and procedural reforms alike.
- 1964Expansion
Independence established national elections on the basis of universal adult suffrage.
Electoral systems in Zambia - 2016Reform
The constitutional framework required a presidential winner to receive more than 50% of valid votes, with a run-off if no candidate crosses that threshold.
Election and counting procedures - 2025Reform
A constitutional amendment enlarged the National Assembly and introduced 40 proportional-representation inclusion seats.
Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 13 of 2025
Safeguards on the count
- Ballot type
- Paper ballots
- Post-election audit
- Ad hoc
- Election administration
- Independent commission
- Domestic observers
- Yes
- International observers
- Yes
Votes are counted at the polling station in front of agents and observers. Signed result forms are distributed and posted outside the station before constituency totaling and electronic transmission to the National Results Centre.
Worth knowing
- The final 2026 register contains 8,786,300 voters across 116 districts, 226 constituencies and 1,858 wards.Electoral Commission of Zambia
- The Commission's timetable schedules verification of presidential results for 15–17 August and declaration on 17 August, subject to the actual completion of totaling.2026 General Election roadmap and revised timetable
Elections in the database
- 2026Zambia 2026 General ElectionElection Watch
People
- Head of stateHakainde HichilemaPresident of Zambia
Sources
- Election and counting procedures— Electoral Commission of Zambia
- Voter registration— Electoral Commission of Zambia
- Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 13 of 2025— National Assembly of Zambia