COMMANDER KWISHIBA’, IMENDA IN PARLEY

By BARNABAS ZULU FORMER University of Zambia Student Union (UNZASU) vice president Jemaimah Mwaba, popularly known as Commander Kwishiba and UPND deputy secretary general Getrude Imenda are among the 40 candidates that will be nominated to Parliament through the Mixed Member Proportional Representation (MMPR). And Mwangala Zaloumis, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) chairperson has said the MMRP system is aimed at strengthening inclusivity in Parliament. The ECZ yesterday validated 40 candidates nominated under the Mixed Member Proportional Representation system for possible representation in the National Assembly. Ms Mwaba, a charismatic UNZA student and Ms Imenda, the vocal UPND deputy secretary general made it to the final list of the 40 candidates to be nominated to Parliament for the next five years The 40 candidates yesterday appeared before the ECZ validation panel as part of the process leading to their formal consideration for nomination to Parliament. Among others who appeared for validation is Dongo Mubanga Mumba, a person with a visual disability nominated by the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP). Also appearing before the validation panel is Francis Kope, a member of the UPND national management committee and a representative of persons with disabilities. The ECZ is validating 40 candidates under the Mixed Member Proportional Representation system. Of the 40 candidates, 20 are women, 15 are youths and five are persons with disabilities. And Ms Zaloumis has said the seats were introduced following the enactment of the Constitution of Zambia Amendment Act No. 13 of 2025. Ms Zaloumis said the 40 reserved seats comprise 20 seats for women, 15 for youths and five for persons with disabilities. Speaking during the validation of National Assembly proportional representation candidates at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka yesterday, Ms Zaloumis said the system was aimed at strengthening inclusivity in Parliament. “The introduction of proportional representation is aimed at strengthening inclusivity and ensuring that Parliament reflects the diversity of the Zambian population,” she said. She disclosed that only two political parties had qualified for proportional representation seats in the National Assembly and Town, Municipal and City Councils. “The two political parties are the United Party for National Development and the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity,” Ms Zaloumis said. She said both parties had submitted their respective lists to the commission following the conclusion of the seat distribution process. Ms Zaloumis said candidates under the proportional representation system were required to meet the same constitutional qualifications applicable to candidates elected under the first-past-the-post system. “The Commission has therefore ensured that the candidates meet the requirements provided under Articles 70 and 153 of the Constitution,” she said.

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