BILL 7: The Proposed Introduction of mixed member proportional representation in Zambia

BILL 7: The Proposed Introduction of mixed member proportional representation in Zambia

By Emmanuel lishandu

Introduction

Electoral systems play a vital role in determining how citizens are represented in governance and how democratic institutions function. 

In Zambia, The Zambian government in the highly debated constitutional amendment bill number 7 of 2025 has expressed interest in adopting the MMPR system as a means of enhancing representation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in Parliament. The rationale behind this is said to be about reforming the current electoral system to make it more inclusive and representative.

 This paper answers a few basic questions on what MMPR is, how it works, its strengths and weaknesses, and how it compares to Zambia’s current electoral system, the First Past the Post (FPTP) system.

What is the current electoral system for election of members of parliament in Zambia?

At present, Zambia uses the First Past the Post (FPTP) electoral system. Under this system, the candidate with the highest number of votes in a constituency is declared the winner, regardless of whether or not they achieve an absolute majority. Although FPTP is simple and easy to administer, it often results in unequal representation, where smaller parties and minority groups are underrepresented in Parliament. It also tends to favor larger political parties and can lead to “winner-takes-all” outcomes.

What is a Mixed Member Proportional Representation System?

A Mixed Member Proportional Representation System is an electoral system that combines two voting methods—First Past the Post (FPTP) and Proportional Representation (PR). Under this system, voters are given two votes: one for a local constituency candidate and another for a political party. The system seeks to balance direct local representation with proportional fairness at the national level.

In essence, MMPR ensures that the composition of Parliament more accurately reflects the overall proportion of votes received by each political party in the general election. This hybrid model aims to address the shortcomings of purely majoritarian systems such as FPTP while retaining the benefits of local representation.

How MMPR Works

In practice, an MMPR system divides parliamentary seats into two categories:

1. Constituency Seats: These are filled by candidates who win in their respective constituencies through the First Past the Post method.

2. Party-List Seats: These are allocated to political parties based on their overall share of the national vote to ensure that the final composition of Parliament corresponds proportionally to the total votes each party received.

In essence, the proposed amendment in bill 7 is that elections for the constituency seats will be done according to the conventional first past the post system, meaning that he candidate with the most number of votes wins the election. In turn, after the initial election, the electoral commission of Zambia will then distributed to the political parties in line with the number of votes the party obtained via the proportional representation ballot.It is a relatively complex system compared to the conventional style that the country has practiced over the years. Adequate voter sensitization would be required if the purpose of this system is to truly

 What are the Strengths of MMPR?

Proportionality: MMPR ensures that the percentage of seats a party obtains closely reflects its share of the national vote, resulting in fairer representation.

Inclusivity: It enhances the representation of marginalized groups such as women, youth, and persons with disabilities, especially through party lists.

Reduced Wastage of Votes: Votes cast for losing candidates still contribute to the party’s overall seat share.

Balanced Governance: Encourages coalition governments, which can promote consensus-building and cooperation among political parties.

 What are the Drawbacks of MMPR?

Complexity: The system is more complicated and may be difficult for some voters to understand.

Coalition Challenges: Coalition governments may lead to slower decision-making or policy instability.

Party Control: Party leaders may exert excessive influence over who appears on party lists, potentially limiting internal party democracy.

Administrative Demands: Implementation requires significant planning, legal reform, and voter education.

Conclusion

The Mixed Member Proportional Representation System presents a more balanced and inclusive approach to representation than the current First Past the Post system used in Zambia. While it may be complex to implement, its potential to enhance fairness, inclusivity, and political diversity makes it a promising reform for Zambia’s democratic system. The best way to go about it would be to ensure transparency, voter education, institutional capacity building and Integrity so that the system isn’t used as a means through which powerful parties can gain more seats in parliament. All in all, By ensuring that all segments of society—especially women, youths, and persons with disabilities—are represented in Parliament, MMPR could significantly strengthen Zambia’s democratic foundation and promote equitable governance.