Bright Nundwe Scoops Chawama Seat in High-Stakes By-Election

Bright Nundwe Scoops Chawama Seat in High-Stakes By-Election

Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) candidate Bright Nundwe, a former Patriotic Front official who once served as Copperbelt Provincial Secretary, has scooped the Chawama parliamentary seat after securing a clear victory in the January 15, 2026 by-election, according to official results declared by the Electoral Commission of Zambia.

Nundwe contested the election under the FDD banner, which is part of the Tonse Alliance led by Given Lubinda, a faction that remains separate from and unrecognised by the rival Tonse grouping associated with Danny Pule. The configuration gave the race added political meaning beyond party labels.

Nundwe polled 8,085 votes, defeating his closest rival, ruling party candidate Morgan Muunda, who obtained 6,542 votes, in a contest that attracted national attention due to the constituency’s political symbolism and history. The 1,543-vote margin confirmed a decisive outcome in one of Lusaka’s most closely watched parliamentary races.

The Chawama seat became vacant after Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti declared it open following the prolonged absence of then area Member of Parliament Tasila Lungu, who was mourning her late father, former president Edgar Lungu. The by-election drew interest far beyond the constituency not only because of Chawama’s historical association with the former head of state, but also due to the circumstances under which the vacancy arose. The seat was declared vacant while funeral arrangements and burial issues relating to Edgar Lungu remained unresolved, a period during which Tasila Lungu was absent from Parliament under conditions many regarded as exceptional rather than willful. The declaration followed earlier indications by the Speaker that Tasila would be permitted to resume parliamentary duties a few days after the burial and funeral proceedings. The subsequent reversal of that position, culminating in the vacancy declaration, was received with unease in some quarters and generated public debate, with critics questioning the consistency and impartiality of the decision. That broader controversy continues to attract scrutiny and remains a subject for separate examination.

A total of nine candidates successfully filed nominations and appeared on the ballot. These included Bright Nundwe of the FDD, Morgan Muunda of the ruling party, Davison Mulenga of Citizens First, Ntazana Musukuma of the Leadership Movement, Mohammad Mutete of the New Congress Party, and James Phiri of the National Democratic Congress. Independent candidates Alfred Mageza, George Mwenya, and Elijah Siatwaambo also contested the seat, contributing to a competitive and fragmented race.

Official results show that Davison Mulenga placed third with 1,534 votes, followed by independent candidate George Mwenya with 466 votes and Elijah Siatwaambo with 428 votes. Mohammad Mutete of the New Congress Party received 319 votes, Alfred Ndiweni of the Exodus Party for Peace and Prosperity polled 239 votes, Ntazana Musukuma obtained 100 votes, while James Phiri of the National Democratic Congress received 93 votes.

The Electoral Commission recorded a total of 18,096 valid votes cast, with 290 ballot papers rejected as invalid.

Polling day passed in a generally calm and orderly manner across the constituency. Voting proceeded without major reports of violence, injuries, or disruptions, marking a departure from earlier by-elections in Chawama that had been characterised by clashes and instability. Electoral officials and security personnel maintained order at polling stations, allowing voters to cast their ballots without interruption.

Campaign activity in the weeks leading up to polling day was vigorous. Parties held meetings, roadshows, and door-to-door mobilisation efforts, with the ruling party mounting a visible campaign across the constituency. Opposition actors framed the race as an opportunity for voters to assert independence and influence broader political calculations ahead of the general elections.

Vote counting showed Nundwe building a consistent lead across several polling stations, a pattern that held through the final tally. His performance in key parts of the constituency proved sufficient to secure victory in a field where votes were spread across multiple parties and independent candidates.

Reports of campaign inducements and heavy mobilisation circulated during the campaign period. The official results, however, indicated that such factors did not guarantee electoral success. The final tally suggested that voters exercised independent judgment inside the polling booth, separating campaign conduct from electoral choice.

The result has renewed attention on the role of opposition-aligned candidates in urban constituencies. Chawama’s outcome demonstrated that competitive results remain possible even where ruling party visibility is strong and political symbolism runs deep.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia was credited for administering the poll without major incident. Security agencies maintained order without reports of excessive force or interference. While broader debates around political space continue, the by-election itself concluded in an orderly and controlled manner.

With the seat now decided, the Chawama result is expected to influence political strategy ahead of the August general elections, particularly in Lusaka constituencies where turnout, voter engagement, and candidate appeal remain decisive.

Concerns were also raised during the polling period over the conduct of some ruling party cadres, with complaints that incidents of intimidation and disorder were recorded in parts of the constituency. The conduct prompted questions among sections of the electorate about whether attempts were made to influence the outcome through pressure rather than persuasion. Another notable aspect of the by-election was voter turnout, which appeared subdued in some areas. Some residents attributed this to fear and anxiety linked to the tense political environment in parts of Chawama, despite the generally peaceful conduct of polling day itself.

The result has been described by some as a reminder that the will of the people can still prevail even in conditions viewed as uneven, where opposition parties operate under limitations and are not fully independent. The outcome presents food for thought for the ruling party, demonstrating that electoral outcomes remain subject to voter choice regardless of resource advantage or political pressure.

On the opposition side, the Chawama outcome has reignited calls for unity of purpose. Official results show that while the ruling party candidate polled 6,542 votes, the combined total of votes cast for opposition parties and independent candidates stood at 11,264 votes. These included 8,085 votes for Bright Nundwe (FDD), 1,534 for Davison Mulenga (Citizens First), 466 for George Mwenya (Independent), 428 for Elijah Siatwaambo (Independent), 319 for Mohammad Mutete (New Congress Party), 239 for Alfred Ndiweni (EPPP), 100 for Ntazana Musukuma (Leadership Movement), and 93 for James Phiri (NDC). The figures have strengthened arguments that, if embraced and consolidated behind a single opposition vehicle, future electoral contests, including the 2026 general elections, could present a markedly different outcome.