View source for Chawama By-election, 2026

{{Infobox election
| country = Zambia
| election_name = Chawama National Assembly by-election
| type = Parliamentary
| previous_election = 2021 Zambian general election
| previous_year = 2021
| election_date = 15 January 2026
| next_election = 2026 Zambian general election
| next_year = 2026
| seats_for_election = 1
| title = Member of Parliament
| before_election = [[Tasila Lungu]]
| before_party = Patriotic Front (Zambia)
| nominee1 = [[Nundwe Bright]]
| party1 = [[Forum for Democracy and Development|FDD]]
| popular_vote1 = 8,085
| nominee2 = [[Muunda Morgan]]
| party2 = [[United Party for National Development|UPND]]
| popular_vote2 = 6,542
| after_election = [[Nundwe Bright]]
| after_party = [[Forum for Democracy and Development|FDD]]
}}

The '''Chawama National Assembly by-election''' was held on 15 January 2026 to elect a Member of Parliament for the [[Chawama (constituency)|Chawama Constituency]] in the [[Lusaka District]]. The by-election was won by [[Nundwe Bright]] of the [[Forum for Democracy and Development|FDD]], who defeated [[Muunda Morgan]] of the [[United Party for National Development|UPND]] and seven other candidates. 


== Background ==
The seat became vacant after the Speaker of the National Assembly, [[Nelly Mutti]], declared it so due to the prolonged absence of the incumbent MP, [[Tasila Lungu]]. The Speaker invoked '''Article 72(2)(c)''' of the Constitution of Zambia following Lungu's absence during events related to her father's burial delays. A legal challenge seeking to halt the by-election was subsequently dismissed by [[High Court]] Judge Martin Musaluke, who ruled that the challenge lacked merit. The election was called under the provisions of the ''Electoral (General) Regulations, 2016'' (Regulation 20). The official notice of the contested election (Form EC 7) was signed by '''Lewis Chanda Lupando''', acting as the Returning Officer for Chawama.

== Candidates ==
A total of nine candidates successfully filed their nominations. The candidates represent a mix of established political parties and independent runners.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! No. !! Candidate !! Party
|-
| 1 || '''Mulenga Davison''' || [[Citizens First]] 
|-
| 2 || '''Musukuma Ntazana''' || [[Leadership Movement]] 
|-
| 3 || '''Mutete Mohammad''' || [[New Congress Party]] 
|-
| 4 || '''Muunda Morgan''' || [[United Party for National Development]]
|-
| 5 || '''Nundwe Bright''' || [[Forum for Democracy and Development]] 
|-
| 6 || '''Phiri James''' || [[National Democratic Congress (Zambia)|National Democratic Congress]] 
|-
| 7 || '''Mageza Alfred''' || Independent
|-
| 8 || '''Mwenya George''' || Independent 
|-
| 9 || '''Siatwaambo Elijah''' || Independent 
|}

== Voting Information ==
According to the Electoral Commission, the polls will open at '''06:00 hours''' and close at '''18:00 hours''' on Thursday, January 15, 2026. 

== Results ==
{{Election results|cand1=[[Nundwe Bright]]|party1=[[Forum for Democracy and Development|FDD]]|votes1=8085|cand2=[[Muunda Morgan]]|party2=[[United Party for National Development|UPND]]|votes2=6542|cand3=[[Mulenga Davison]]|party3=[[Citizens First]]|votes3=1534|cand4=[[Mwenya George]]|party4=Independent|votes4=466|cand5=[[Siatwaambo Elijah]]|party5=Independent|votes5=428|cand6=[[Mutete Mohammad]]|party6=[[New Congress Party]]|votes6=319|cand7=[[Ndiweni Alfred]]|party7=[[Economic and People’s Party|EPP]]|votes7=239|cand8=[[Musukuma Ntazana]]|party8=[[Leadership Movement]]|votes8=100|cand9=[[Phiri James (politician)|Phiri James]]|party9=[[National Democratic Congress (Zambia)|NDC]]|votes9=93|invalid=290|total=18096|source=Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), Form 21 (16 January 2026)}}
== See also ==
* [[Elections in Zambia]]
* [[List of National Assembly constituencies in Zambia]]
* [[2026 Zambian general election]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
* Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016.
* Electoral Commission of Zambia, "Notice of Contested Election: Chawama Constituency," Form EC 7, issued 16th December 2025.

[[Category:2026 elections in Zambia]]
[[Category:By-elections in Zambia]]
[[Category:Politics of Lusaka]]