The Electoral Commission of Zambia has announced the formal resignation of two aspiring candidates in Choma District, the latest in a series of pre-election withdrawals confirmed as the country heads toward Thursday’s general election.
Two More Names Withdrawn
The Commission, through its District Electoral Officer for Choma, confirmed that Wisdom Mweetwa, nominated as UPND candidate for Simanvwa Ward Councillor, and Howard Mukonka, an independent candidate for Sikalongo Ward Councillor, have formally resigned from the 2026 General Election. ECZ said it has received and accepted both resignation notices, meaning the two will no longer participate as candidates.
The Choma announcement follows a broader pattern of late-stage withdrawals across the country, including four candidates in Chongwe District in late July, spanning the Resolute Party, NRPUP, an independent contender and the United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia party.
Names May Still Appear on Ballots
Because ballot printing for National Assembly, Mayoral and Councillor elections began on July 6, ECZ has clarified that any candidate who resigns after that administrative cut-off will still have their name printed on the ballot paper, even though they are no longer legally eligible to contest. In such cases, the Commission said Local Notices will be issued in affected areas to inform voters directly that the listed candidate is no longer standing, and has urged the public to take note of these clarifications when casting ballots on Thursday.
