CHANDA KABWE, IRIS KAINGU WIN KANTANSHI AND MWANDI SEATS

The recent parliamentary electoral outcomes have brought significant political shifts as the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) continues to release poll results from constituencies across the nation. In Mufulira's Kantanshi Constituency, former Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) National Coordinator Chanda Kabwe secured a decisive victory running on the Resolute Party ticket. Mr. Kabwe polled 10,473 votes, successfully overcoming the incumbent United Party for National Development (UPND) candidate Anthony Mumba, who managed 8,391 votes in a tightly contested four-candidate race. The victory marks a prominent return to frontline public prominence for Mr. Kabwe, whose campaign centered heavily on local infrastructure development and grassroots empowerment. Simultaneously, the political landscape in Western Province witnessed an upset as independent candidate Iris Kaingu was officially declared the winner of the Mwandi Constituency parliamentary seat. Returning Officer Nowa Nowa announced that Ms. Kaingu garnered 6,595 votes, narrowly edging out the ruling party's candidate, Sibeso Sefulo, who finished with 6,110 votes. Ms. Kaingu's triumph is particularly notable given that she contested as an independent after missing out on adoption by the ruling party. Her victory preserves a familial political legacy in Mwandi, as she is the daughter of former Education Minister and long-serving local Member of Parliament Dr. Michael Kaingu. These results underline a growing trend of competitive electoral dynamics outside traditional party strongholds, reflecting voter willingness to back independent figures and alternative political platforms. Analysts note that the loss of key seats by the ruling establishment on the Copperbelt and in rural Western Province points to localized voter discontent and strategic tactical voting. As collation centers finalize remaining tallies nationwide, political parties are closely monitoring these shifts, which could redefine parl