ECZ Will Proceed With Chawama By-Election

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) will proceed with a by-election in Chawama, following official notification of the parliamentary seat vacancy. ECZ Chief Electoral Officer Brown Kasaro confirmed that Speaker of the National Assembly, Nelly Mutti, had formally informed the commission of the vacancy.

On Friday, Speaker Mutti declared the Chawama seat vacant due to the prolonged absence of Member of Parliament Tasila Lungu and indicated she would notify ECZ. Asked on Monday whether the notification had been received, Kasaro confirmed the Speaker had officially written to the commission.

Addressing online speculation that the by-election could not be held because it is close to general elections, Kasaro clarified that both the Constitution and a Constitutional Court judgment require the commission to hold an election once notified of a vacancy. He explained that the constitutional provision preventing by-elections applies only when a vacancy occurs within 180 days of a general election, which is not the case here.

Kasaro said the date for the Chawama by-election is still under consideration. Meanwhile, ECZ announced 31 December as the date for four ward by-elections across Muchinka, Litawa, Mutondo, and Liangati wards. Nominations are set for 9 December, with campaigns running from 10 to 30 December.