President of Zambia has sanctioned a law that broadens the scope of parliament just months ahead of the upcoming election

Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema signed into law constitutional changes on Thursday that will expand the country’s parliament, a decision that critics argue may benefit his party, just eight months ahead of a national election.

The changes expand the number of members of parliament to approximately 280 from the current 167 by establishing additional constituencies, reserving 40 new seats for women, youth, and individuals with disabilities, and permitting the president to appoint 11 members instead of the previous eight.

Critics, including the local Catholic Church, argue that the changes may benefit Hichilema’s party in the upcoming August 2026 presidential and parliamentary elections and claim they were hastily approved by parliament.

Hichilema, who is set to campaign for a second presidential term in the upcoming election, stated during a signing ceremony that the modifications were made in good faith and that there was sufficient consultation involved.

He had previously contended that certain constituencies were excessively large for efficient service delivery and ought to be divided into smaller units.

Civil rights activist Brebner Changala informed Reuters that Hichilema’s party might leverage the constitutional changes to its benefit in the upcoming elections.

“The primary objective is to solidify power through further delimitation in the ruling party’s strongholds,” Changala stated.

Certain opposition politicians have expressed criticism regarding the decision to expand the number of members of parliament while the country continues to recover from a prolonged debt crisis.