Zambia’s parliament has been dissolved exactly 90 days before the upcoming general election.
The house held its last sitting on Wednesday and the clerk announced that it would formally dissolve on Friday.
The Zambian constitution requires that parliament is dissolved 90 days before the next election.
Zambians will head to the polls on 12 August.
The UK has contributed £500,000 ($703,000) to a democracy programme managed by the UN Development Programme ahead of the elections.
It will support a democratic election while ensuring legitimacy and fairness during the electoral process.
Zambian President Edgar Lungu is seeking re-election and has in the past assured international partners of a free and fair election.
Mr Lungu, who has has been criticised for his handling of the economy and the country’s heavy debt burden, faces 18 other candidates vying for the presidency – including his main opponent Hakainde Hichilema.
Mr Hichilema, who has unsuccessfully contested the presidential elections five times, is the leader of the country’s biggest opposition party, the United Party for National Development.
