Zambias President Hakainde Hichilema on Thursday signed into law constitutional changes that will expand the countrys parliament, in a move that critics say could favour his party, eight months before a national election.
The changes increase the number of members of parliament to around 280 from 167 currently by creating more constituencies, reserving 40 new seats for women, youth and people with disabilities, and allowing the president to appoint 11 members instead of eight previously.
Critics including the local Catholic Church say the changes could favour Hichilemas party in the August 2026 presidential and parliamentary elections and were rushed through parliament.
