Sunday Chanda withdraws election petition, unites with new Kanchibiya MP
Sunday Chanda withdraws election petition, unites with new Kanchibiya MP
FORMER Kanchibiya Member of Parliament Sunday Chilufya Chanda has conceded defeat for the second time but this time around by withdrawwing his election petition challenging his defeat in the 2026 parliamentary elections, saying he has chosen peace and development over a prolonged political battle.
Chanda, who served as Kanchibiya MP from 2021 to 2026, lost to NRPUP candidate Muswema Sampa after losing the seat by 1,024 votes.
Sampa polled 4,586 votes, while Chanda managed 3,562 votes.
In a statement, Chanda said although he believed he had justiciable grounds to challenge the election result, he had decided to withdraw the petition after reflecting on the broader interests of the people of Kanchibiya.
“Leadership is not only about knowing when to fight. It is also about knowing when to put the larger interests of the people above personal political ambitions,” Chanda said.
He explained that his decision was not an admission that he had no grounds to challenge the election, but rather a conscious decision to allow the new MP to serve without the burden of a prolonged political contest.
Chanda also symbolically handed over the baton to Sampa, whom he described as his “brother”, in a gesture of unity and continuity.
“I now respectfully bow to the will of the people and this evening I dutifully and symbolically passed on the baton to my predecessor Hon Sampa Muswema for him to run his race,” he stated.
Chanda noted that he was leaving Parliament without bitterness or regret after what he described as five years of service in which he helped advance development in Kanchibiya.
Among the projects he highlighted were the Kaonda Bridge across the Lwitikila River, Aluni Bridge across the Kanchibiya River and Washeni Bridge.
He also cited the construction of mini-hospitals, mortuaries, schools, water schemes and communication towers, as well as efforts towards the rehabilitation of the Chinkobo-Chambeshi Road.
The former MP further shared that he remained particularly proud of supporting Bill 7 and the delimitation exercise, which resulted in the former Kanchibiya geographical area being divided into two constituencies.
He said the move could potentially increase the allocation of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) resources across the area.
“Today, the geographical area that constituted Kanchibiya has been delimitated into two constituencies, meaning two Members of Parliament and two streams of CDF resources,” Chanda said.
He further urged Sampa to work with the Government, President Hakainde Hichilema, traditional and religious leaders and other stakeholders to advance development in Kanchibiya.
“Do not inherit my political battles. Inherit the development agenda. Put Kanchibiya first,” he adbised.
Chanda also thanked President Hichilema, whom he described as a reliable development partner during his tenure as MP.
He said despite having previously been one of Hichilema’s strongest critics while the latter was in Opposition, he chose to put development above politics when he became President.
“I remain a son of Kanchibiya,” he said.
“I ran a good race. I fought a good fight. I served with everything I had. And now, with humility, I bow to the will of the people. The election is over. The petition is withdrawn. But Kanchibiya must continue. Development above Politics. One Zambia. One Nation. One People.”
Kalemba, September 6, 2026
🚨JUST IN: SUNDAY CHANDA WITHDRAWS KANCHIBIYA ELECTION PETITION
Details in the Statement….
My fellow residents of Kanchibiya,
This is going to be a relatively long statement because I do not want to gloss over pertinent details.
Following the conclusion of the 2026 General Elections, I wish to address the people of Kanchibiya on an important decision concerning the election petition I filed challenging the outcome of the Parliamentary election.
After careful reflection, consultation and consideration of the broader interests of our people, I have decided to discontinue and withdraw my petition.
Let me be clear: I had justiciable grounds upon which to challenge the election result. Many people across Kanchibiya, including supporters and citizens concerned about what transpired during the electoral process, strongly encouraged me to proceed.
I respect those who encouraged me to fight on, as I respect the constitutional right of every candidate to seek justice through the courts.
However, leadership is not only about knowing when to fight. It is also about knowing when to put the larger interests of the people above personal political ambitions.
After five years of service, I have reflected deeply on what Kanchibiya needs at this moment. I have therefore chosen a different path.
1. I RAN A GOOD RACE
When I say “I ran a good race,” I am not referring only to the 2026 election. I am referring to the five-year journey I had the honour and privilege of serving the people of Kanchibiya as their Member of Parliament.
For five years, I gave this constituency everything I had – my time, energy, ideas, voice and political capital. I travelled across Kanchibiya, listened to our people, raised their concerns in Parliament, engaged Government and worked to bring development to communities that had waited for it for decades. Through them, I was able to speak for our workers, councillors, among others.
I leave that chapter of my public service with no bitterness and no regrets.
I ran a good race. I fought a good fight. I served with everything I had.
There were achievements, challenges and things we could have done differently. But I am proud that during those five years, Kanchibiya moved forward.
The office of Member of Parliament was entrusted to me for a season. I have completed that season with gratitude. I now respectfully bow to the will of the people and this evening I dutifully and symbolically passed on the baton to my predecessor Hon Sampa Muswema for him to run his race.
My political journey in Kanchibiya may be taking a different direction, but my commitment to the people and to the development of Zambia remains unchanged.
2. FIVE YEARS THAT TRANSFORMED KANCHIBIYA
When I became the 8th Member of Parliament for Kanchibiya in 2021, I inherited a constituency with enormous potential and enormous developmental challenges.
Today, I leave Parliament knowing that together, we moved Kanchibiya forward.
We delivered the Kaonda Bridge across the Lwitikila River – the first such bridge since 1964, as well as the Aluni Bridge across the Kanchibiya River, also the first since 1964. We also delivered Washeni Bridge, improving connectivity for our communities.
We constructed mini-hospitals at Chalabesa, Luchembe and Mpepo, bringing healthcare closer to our people.
We maximised increased CDF to establish what is becoming the Kanchibiya Central Business District, including the Civic Centre, National Assembly Office, Office of the President Block, Police Post and Police accommodation, among other facilities.
We pushed for the Chinkobo–Chambeshi Road, whose construction and rehabilitation is now under way.
We delivered Katumba Boarding Secondary School, established Kanchibiya’s first Youth Skills Training Centre, and lobbied for the completion of other schools including Kopa Day Secondary, John Mubanga Day Secondary and Cheweshimfwamba Day Secondary.
We facilitated network towers at Kabulamwiko, Chikakala, Luchembe and Kaonda, supported water schemes in schools and health facilities, agricultural CDF loans for farmers, and constructed Kanchibiya’s first-ever two mortuaries.
We also facilitated water provision at Kate Island and Kabinga Central, and supported the first-ever health facility at Munkunta, Mulima, the list is endless.
There are many other interventions I cannot list individually.
These are not merely statistics. They are schools where children learn, bridges where people cross, roads where farmers take their produce to market, and health facilities where families receive care.
That is what development means.
And that is the legacy I am proud to leave behind.
3. BILL 7 – A DECISION I STILL STAND BY
I also leave office proud of my decision to support Bill 7 and the delimitation exercise, despite warnings from some quarters that it was politically suicidal.
I chose to look beyond the politics of the moment.
Today, the geographical area that constituted Kanchibiya has been delimitated into two constituencies, meaning two Members of Parliament and two streams of CDF resources.
Based on the previous K40 million allocation, this could mean approximately K80 million across the same broad geographical area, subject to applicable annual allocations.
That means greater potential for investment in schools, health, roads, water, youth and women’s empowerment, agriculture and community infrastructure.
I chose representation over regional calculations, development over political convenience, and the Kanchibiya of tomorrow over the election of today.
I remain proud of that decision.
4. DEVELOPMENT ABOVE POLITICS
The philosophy that guided my five years in Parliament was simple:
DEVELOPMENT ABOVE POLITICS.
This does not mean abandoning one’s political beliefs. It means understanding that politics is a means of serving the people, not the end itself.
A road does not belong to a political party. A school does not ask how its pupils voted. A hospital does not ask which party a patient supports.
Development does not wear political regalia.
The President is the President of every Zambian. The Government of the day is the Government of every citizen.
I therefore encourage my brother, the incoming Member of Parliament, to work with Government, the President, traditional and religious leaders, farmers, cooperatives, women, youth, traders, civil society and all other stakeholders.
Where Government has resources, knock on its doors. Where the President can help, seek his support. Where your predecessor has experience that can assist, use it. And where your political opponent has a good idea, embrace it.
Do not inherit my political battles. Inherit the development agenda.
Put Kanchibiya first.
That is Development Above Politics.
5. PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA – KANCHIBIYA’S DEVELOPMENT PARTNER
I wish to place on record my profound gratitude to His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema.
Over the past five years, the President proved to be a reliable development partner for Kanchibiya. Facts speak for themselves.
Whenever I knocked on his door with roads, bridges, schools, health facilities, electricity, communication, CDF implementation and other development matters, he listened and responded.
I was once one of President Hichilema’s strongest critics while he was in Opposition. Yet when the opportunity came to work together for Kanchibiya, I chose to put development above politics, and he was magnanimous in embracing me:
“Sunday mwaice wandi, I like your talent, isa tubombe bonse.”
That decision and invitation produced results that the people of Kanchibiya can see for themselves.
Even outside Parliament, I will continue to do my very best to support President Hichilema’s vision for Zambia wherever it advances the interests of our people.
6. KANCHIBIYA BELONGS TO ALL ZAMBIANS
I urge the people of Kanchibiya to embrace President Hichilema – he means well for Kanchibiya; I urge you to champion unity and love by rejecting the poisoned chalice of tribalism offered by some politicians and, sadly, some religious voices.
Kanchibiya does not belong to one tribe, political party or church.
Kanchibiya belongs to Zambia.
It is home to Zambians from all parts of our country, irrespective of tribe, gender, political affiliation or background.
I caution those who deliberately fan tribal hatred, encourage discrimination or incite hostility against fellow Zambians on the basis of tribe. Where such conduct meets the threshold of a criminal offence, it must be reported to the Zambia Police Service and dealt with according to law.
I also call upon our traditional and religious leaders to use their moral authority to unite our people and speak firmly against tribalism.
We did not choose our tribes; we chose Zambia.
I am Bemba.
President Hakainde Hichilema is Tonga.
So what?
He is my fellow citizen and the President of the Republic of Zambia. That is enough for me.
I would rather lose an election while standing for One Zambia, One Nation than win one by dividing Zambians along tribal or regional lines.
That is a principle I will never apologise for.
7. I REMAIN A SON OF KANCHIBIYA
My formal political journey in Kanchibiya may now be taking a different direction.
But let me make one thing clear:
I remain a son of Kanchibiya.
I may no longer sit in the National Assembly representing Kanchibiya, but I will never stop caring about its people, communities, rivers, farms, schools, bridges and roads.
I came to Kanchibiya not as a politician but a son.
I therefore leave Parliament as a son of Kanchibiya.
The love I have for this constituency cannot be cancelled by an election result.
8. TO THE PEOPLE OF KANCHIBIYA – THANK YOU
Thank you for trusting me in 2021 and giving me the privilege of serving as your 8th Member of Parliament.
Thank you to those who voted for me again in 2026 and thank you to those who did not, irrespective of the circumstances.
I thank our churches, traditional leaders, farmers, women, youth, cooperatives, traders, community leaders, my campaign team, party structures and every person who stood with me.
I also thank those who encouraged me to pursue the petition.
I heard you. I considered your concerns. But I have made my decision after consultations.
I choose peace.
I choose continuity of development.
I choose to give the new Member of Parliament the opportunity to serve without the shadow of a prolonged political contest hanging over the constituency.
My withdrawal of the petition should therefore not be interpreted as an admission that I had no grounds to challenge the result.
It is a conscious and people-centric decision to close one chapter and allow another to begin.
Sometimes leadership means knowing when to fight, when to stand, and when to let go.
9. THE JOURNEY CONTINUES
My journey may have taken a detour, but my commitment to public service has not ended.
I still believe in workers’ rights, the dignity of our farmers and rural communities, environmental justice, youth empowerment, skills development, economic opportunity and national unity. I believe in President Hichilema’s vision for a better Zambia.
I leave Kanchibiya’s parliamentary representation with a clear conscience.
I ran a good race.
I fought a good fight.
I served with everything I had.
And now, with humility, I bow to the will of the people.
To my brother, the incoming Member of Parliament:
Serve well. Build upon what has been started. Work with the Government of the day. Work with the President. Put the people first.
Make the next five years five years of construction, not destruction; cooperation, not confrontation; development, not division.
Kanchibiya is bigger than all of us.
As for me, I remain:
A son of Kanchibiya.
A citizen of Zambia.
A servant of the people.
The election is over.
The petition is withdrawn.
But Kanchibiya must continue.
Development Above Politics.
One Zambia. One Nation. One People.
May God bless Kanchibiya.
May God bless Muchinga Province.
And may God bless our beloved Republic of Zambia.
Signed,
Hon. Sunday Chanda
Former Member of Parliament
Kanchibiya Constituency & Workers’ Rights Advocate
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