By Arnold Tutu
The Electoral Commission of Zambia –ECZ- has dismissed allegations of discrepancies in voter registration figures, describing claims made by New Heritage Party President CHISHALA KATEKA as misleading and inaccurate.
In a statement issued to ZNBC news today, the Commission said it is concerned about assertions circulating on social media suggesting a mismatch between announced and “actual” voter numbers.
According to the ECZ, the figure of 7,073,513 voters refers to the current certified Register of Voters, which includes voters registered before the 2021 General Election and those added through Continuous Registration up to February 2024.
The Commission noted that this register remains legally valid until a new one is certified.
The ECZ explained that following the Mass Registration of Voters exercise conducted from 13th October to 29th November 2025, a total of 1,788,405 new voters were recorded.
Chief Electoral Officer BROWN KASARO said this figure includes registrations made during Continuous Registration between March 2024 and August 2025 and remains provisional.
Mr. KASARO said the provisional Register of Voters currently stands at 8,861,918, combining the certified register and newly registered voters.
However, he emphasised that this number is subject to mandatory post-registration processes, including the removal of multiple registrations, deletion of deceased voters, consideration of claims and objections, and public inspection.
Mr. KASARO said the ECZ will only announce and certify the final Register of Voters for the 2026 General Election after all legal procedures have been completed.
He said comparing a certified register with a provisional one and presenting the difference as fraudulent is misleading.
The ECZ Chief has urged stakeholders to engage the Commission directly on electoral matters rather than misinforming the public.
Mr. KASARO added that all electoral processes are conducted in accordance with the Constitution and electoral laws, with the involvement of political parties and other stakeholders.
He further stated that the Commission will continue engaging stakeholders and publicly announce the final certified register once statutory requirements are concluded.
