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Zambia's Hichilema Expands Parliament Amid Election Criticism

12/18/2025

Summary

Story summary

President Hakainde Hichilema, the President of Zambia, signed constitutional amendments on December 18, 2024.
The amendments expand parliament from 167 to about 280 members.
The amendments reserve 40 seats for women, youth, and people with disabilities.
Critics including the Catholic Church and Brebner Changala say the changes favor Hichilema's party ahead of the August 2026 elections.
Hichilema maintains the reforms are in good faith and aimed at improving service delivery.

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Story summary

President Hakainde Hichilema, the President of Zambia, signed constitutional amendments on December 18, 2024.
The amendments expand parliament from 167 to about 280 members.
The amendments reserve 40 seats for women, youth, and people with disabilities.
Critics including the Catholic Church and Brebner Changala say the changes favor Hichilema's party ahead of the August 2026 elections.
Hichilema maintains the reforms are in good faith and aimed at improving service delivery.