President Hichilema Commends Peaceful Chawama By-Election Campaigns

President Hakainde Hichilema has praised political parties and independent candidates for conducting peaceful campaigns ahead of the Chawama Constituency and ward by-elections, scheduled for Thursday, 16th January 2026.

The by-elections were necessitated by the death of former Member of Parliament Tasila Lungu in September 2025. The constituency has attracted significant attention, with multiple parties fielding candidates in what has historically been a competitive electoral battleground in Lusaka.

The President highlighted that the calm and orderly campaign period represents a significant departure from previous elections, which were often marred by violence, intimidation and fear. He observed that past electoral contests in Zambia were frequently driven by coercion rather than persuasion, undermining citizens' ability to participate freely in the democratic process.

Speaking from Southern Province where he is on a working vacation, President Hichilema said he has been receiving daily briefings on campaign activities from the Electoral Commission of Zambia and security agencies. He expressed satisfaction with reports showing that political actors engaged with one another freely and respectfully throughout the period, with candidates focusing on policy discussions rather than inflammatory rhetoric.

The President emphasized that the peaceful conduct demonstrated during these by-elections must be sustained as Zambia prepares for the 2026 General Election. The by-elections are being viewed as an important test of the country's democratic maturity and could set the tone for this year's general polls.