The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) today Tuesday hosted a delegation from the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) on a peer learning tour as Zambia prepares for its General Election scheduled for August 13, 2026.
The visit comes at a critical moment for Zambia’s electoral body following amendments to its Constitution that introduced a Mixed Member Proportional Representation (MMPR) system. The new model combines the First Past the Post (FPTP) system with Proportional Representation (PR), allowing for the election of women, youth and persons with disabilities to Parliament and councils through party lists.
IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon, alongside other commissioners, welcomed the Zambian delegation and said the Commission was honoured to be selected as a learning partner.
“We are delighted that IEBC has been chosen for this peer learning programme. We value continuous engagement and knowledge-sharing among electoral management bodies as a key pillar in strengthening democracy across the region,” Ethekon said.
During the engagement, the two commissions held discussions on election management practices in Kenya, with a particular focus on the proportional representation system, which Kenya applies in the nomination of special interest groups, including women, youth and persons with disabilities.
IEBC officials shared experiences on legal frameworks, operational challenges and best practices in implementing PR systems within a broader electoral process. The discussions also touched on voter education, management of party lists, dispute resolution and the role of technology in enhancing electoral credibility.
The Zambian delegation is expected to draw lessons from Kenya’s experience as it prepares to operationalise the MMPR system for the first time under its revised constitutional framework.
The collaboration highlights growing regional cooperation among electoral bodies in Africa, aimed at promoting credible, inclusive and transparent elections. Both commissions reaffirmed their commitment to continued peer exchanges and technical cooperation beyond the current visit.
IEBC said such engagements not only strengthen institutional capacity but also build public confidence in electoral processes by encouraging the adoption of tested and accountable practices.
The visit comes as IEBC continues preparations for upcoming electoral activities, including by-elections, while maintaining its public awareness campaigns under themes such as “Your Vote, Your Future” and efforts to combat misinformation during electoral periods.
