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A parliamentary vacancy triggered by grief and constitutional procedure has set the stage for a politically charged contest in Chawama, underscoring how Zambia’s electoral system navigates personal tragedy, political accountability, and public representation.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has announced that the Chawama parliamentary by-election will take place on January 15, 2026, with nominations scheduled for December 16, 2025.
The decision follows Speaker of the National Assembly, Nelly Mutti’s declaration that the seat held by Tasila Lungu — daughter of former President Edgar Lungu — had fallen vacant under Article 72(2)(c) of the Constitution, owing to prolonged absence from Parliament.
ECZ Corporate Affairs Manager, Patricia Luhanga said aspiring candidates must meet Grade 12 minimum qualifications and pay non-refundable nomination fees depending on category.
Campaigns are expected to run from December 17, 2025 to January 14, 2026, with strict accreditation and access controls for political parties, media, and NGOs.
Read more: Court rejects bid to halt Speaker Mutti over sack of Tasila Lungu from Chawama seat
While the procedural announcements appear routine, the political narrative behind Tasila Lungu’s exit is far from ordinary, raising questions on parliamentary duty, human compassion, and constitutional consistency.
Tasila had stayed away from Parliament since June 2025 amid a prolonged dispute over the burial of her father, former President Edgar Lungu.
The legal process surrounding the burial has been slow, filled with political undertones and public emotion.
Speaker Mutti acknowledged this context but maintained that “Chawama constituents had gone too long without representation,” emphasizing that Parliament cannot be left in limbo over “indefinite personal circumstances.”
The Speaker rejected recommendations from the Committee on Privileges and Absences to allow Tasila to attend sittings virtually, warning that such exceptions set a dangerous precedent.
In making the ruling, Mutti cited a 2024 parliamentary decision involving Petauke MP Emmanuel Banda, which was handled similarly when he disappeared from hospital, and the seat was declared vacant.
Tasila Lungu’s supporters view the decision as harsh, arguing that the House should have accommodated exceptional circumstances surrounding the death of a former head of state.
Critics, however, say the Speaker’s ruling reinforces accountability and equality before the Constitution, a message that Parliament must be bigger than individual political figures.
The by-election will likely become a proxy test of the former ruling party Patriotic Front’s (PF) relevance in Lusaka, and a measure of how much political capital remains for the Lungu family name.
For the ruling UPND, Chawama — once a PF stronghold — represents an opportunity to consolidate control over urban constituencies ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Beyond party momentum, the by-election also highlights how constitutional provisions interact with human realities: mourning, legal disputes, and political responsibility.
It is a delicate mix that may shape both the campaign narrative and voter sentiment in the weeks ahead.
As campaigning begins on December 17, voices in Chawama are expected to weigh not only the candidates’ promises but also the deeper debate: where should the line be drawn between compassion for personal loss and duty to public office?
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