Amidst anxiety, accusations, and speculations, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has called on candidates vying for various positions on the FAZ executive committee to respect the established electoral process. The association has assured all stakeholders that the elections will be conducted fairly and transparently.
FAZ General Secretary Reuben Kamanga emphasized the need for a smooth and credible election process, urging all parties to refrain from raising unnecessary concerns at every stage. “For the process to be credible, everyone must play their part and avoid raising unnecessary alarm at every stage. FAZ is committed to running a very free and fair process,” Kamanga stated.
The FAZ elections are set for March 29, 2025, in Livingstone, where members will elect a president, vice president, and a women’s representative. Leading up to this, provincial elections will take place from March 15-27 across all ten regions. These elections will determine the provincial chairperson, vice chairperson, committee member, women’s representative, and youth representative. Notably, the elected provincial chairpersons will become members of the national executive committee.
In an official statement, FAZ provided an update on the ongoing electoral activities since the announcement of the electoral roadmap on January 11, 2025. Kamanga highlighted that both the Governance and Review Committee and the Electoral Committee are currently scrutinizing the nominations for integrity and eligibility, as mandated by the FAZ Constitution and the FAZ Electoral Code of 2020.
“Members of the Governance and Review Committee, Electoral Committee, and Electoral Appeals Committee are appointed by the FAZ Council, which is the supreme organ of the Association, and are supported administratively by secretariat staff,” Kamanga explained.
He further congratulated all candidates who submitted their nominations, whether physically, online, or via email. “The process is now at the vetting stage, where the Governance and Review Committee is conducting integrity checks. Following this, the Electoral Committee will assess the finer details of eligibility,” Kamanga added.
The electoral roadmap remains on course, with the Electoral Committee expected to announce the list of successful candidates on February 17, 2025. Unsuccessful candidates will have until February 22, 2025, to appeal before the final list is released.
A total of nine candidates, including incumbent FAZ President Andrew Kamanga, have filed for the presidency. Other aspirants include former FAZ Vice President Emmanuel Munaile, former General Secretaries Adrian Kashala and Machacha Shepande, journalists Alex Njovu and Godfrey Chikumbi, MUZA FC proprietor Keith Mweemba, and accountant Mumbo Lombe.
As the elections draw closer, FAZ remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring a transparent, fair, and credible process. The association has urged all stakeholders to remain patient and allow the electoral process to unfold as outlined in the constitution and electoral code.