Chawama Votes Today: Peace Marks Campaign as Constituency Chooses New MP

Editorial

Chawama Constituency votes today. Nine candidates are competing for a parliamentary seat that has been vacant since June. By tonight, the constituency will have a new voice in Parliament.

President Hakainde Hichilema has commended all participating political parties and independent candidates for maintaining a peaceful and orderly campaign environment. The President noted that the prevailing atmosphere stands in sharp contrast to past electoral periods when violence, intimidation and fear often overshadowed democratic participation.

This commendation is well-deserved. Those with long memories will recall the 2001 Chawama parliamentary by-election, characterised by violence, intimidation, and property destruction. This time, campaign vehicles moved through Chawama without being attacked. Rallies proceeded without disruption. Supporters of rival parties coexisted in shared spaces. Nine candidates contested without the chaos that once seemed inevitable.

Independent candidates George Mwenya and Elijah Siatwambo face party candidates including James Phiri of the NDC, Alfred Mageza Ndiweni of EPPP, Bright Nundwe of FDD under the Tonse Alliance, Mulenga Davison Kabamba of Citizens First, Ntazana Musukuma of the Leadership Movement, Mohammed Mutete of NCP, and the ruling UPND's Morgan Muunda.

The by-election follows an unusual constitutional process. Chawama has been without parliamentary representation since June 2025, when former MP Tasila Lungu remained outside Zambia following her father's death in South Africa. Speaker Nelly Mutti granted a compassionate period to mourn and directed her to return within 14 days after Parliament resumed in September. When that period elapsed without her return, and after subsequent attempts to secure her attendance failed, Parliament voted to vacate the seat based on prolonged unauthorised absence.

Now Chawama voters have their say after months without parliamentary representation. The result will matter beyond Chawama—it will signal whether voters reward the peaceful campaign environment, whether they prioritise local issues or national party loyalties, and whether the opposition can capitalise on months without UPND representation in the seat.

Open Zambia will provide coverage of the results as they emerge throughout the evening.