PUBLIC STATEMENT- BY HON SUNDAY CHANDA
Why I Voted the Way I Did Yesterday
When Bill 7 was introduced on the floor of Parliament, I took it upon myself to study the document line by line, to understand the good, the bad, and the contentious. I made my analysis available for public scrutiny because I believe constitutional matters demand transparency and informed debate.
Beyond the Bill itself, I followed closely the proceedings of the Parliamentary Select Committee, reviewed the technical committee report, and examined the Government’s amendments, which responded to concerns raised by stakeholders, including myself. I dedicated my weekend to this process until I was satisfied that I fully understood the contents and implications of the Bill.
Yesterday, during the deliberations on Bill 7, I was guided by one overriding principle: the people of Kanchibiya and the people of Zambia.
Kanchibiya Constituency is vast, over 8,800 square kilometres, and predominantly rural, with communities spread across long distances. This reality makes access to leadership, basic services, and development opportunities a persistent challenge.
The size and rural nature of Kanchibiya mean that a single Member of Parliament cannot realistically reach every ward, engage every community consistently, or effectively oversee all development projects. Roads are long and often difficult, schools and health facilities are scattered, and many communities have historically felt underserved.
In supporting Bill 7, I considered several factors, chief among them the delimitation of Kanchibiya into two constituencies. Taken together, this is what I voted for:
1. Closer representation
Smaller constituencies allow Members of Parliament to be more present in communities and more responsive to local concerns.
2. Better service delivery
Focused constituencies enable clearer prioritisation and more effective planning, ensuring development projects reach the right people at the right time.
3. Increased resources
Two constituencies mean two allocations for community development—more support for infrastructure, youth empowerment, women’s initiatives, and social services
4. Enhanced participation
Youth and women will have greater opportunities to participate meaningfully in governance and decision-making processes.
This vote was not about numbers on a map. It was about equity, efficiency, and ensuring that every person in Kanchibiya has a voice that can be heard. My decision reflects a firm commitment to the people I represent, their development, and the future of our rural communities.
I do not fault those who voted differently. Each Member arrived at their decision based on their own convictions and understanding of the issues before us.
Do I blame those who voted against the Bill? NO
Do I regret the decision to vote for the Bill? A big NO!
Hon. Sunday Chanda
Member of Parliament – Kanchibiya
Hon Sunday Chanda, you don’t even need to regret, you did the right thing for Kanchibiya and Zambia. The people of Kanchibiya know Sunday as their MP, they don’t know all these self appointed organizations that were trying to block the Bill. You voted on behalf of the people of Kanchibiya and that is what they sent you to Parliament for. Even those who voted against also did a good job, they represented their people. You will remain on record as one of the hardworking and wise MPs this country has ever had. Those Youths and Women you have helped to go to Parliament will always thank you for the foreseeable future if not forever. A true leader should be firm, courageous and visionary thinking beyond his stomach and pocket, thinking for the future generations and a better Zambia. That’s the kind of a leader I am seeing in you and there is nothing I can say apart from thanking you. The President needs support from you MPs and us citizens just as you MPs and us citizens need his support and together with our combined efforts can build and develop our country.
What if Kanchibiya Constituency is not among those to benefit from extra seats?
You were voting for an unknown Variable ba Sunday Chanda? AKA Red na Ka Black Model of Constitutional Amendments.
Hakainde kept the delimitation report secret, under his wraps..No one knows how the extra seats ( I don’t know whether they are still 55, 70 or 100) have been distributed. Its all for Hakainde…and him alone to decide.
Your arguments for voting for the illegitimate and unconstitutional Bill 7 will fall flat when you discover that Hakainde used different criteria for delimitation, and Kanchibiya is not a beneficiary!
So Hon Sunday Chanda and your like exhibited ” Ubukopo” of the highest order.. Wishful thinking as a Principle!
Suppose Kanchibiya will be one of the Constituencies to be divided? Suppose your Constituency will be a benefiary to Bill 7? Suppose Sunday Chanda is correct? Suppose the delimitation report will divide and distribute the Constituencies fairy across our beautiful country? Suppose, and just suppose you will be proved wrong in your criticisms of Hakainde?
Suppose we also move on to other more interesting topics because Bill 7 is now “water under the bridge”, it is a “done Deal”, kushele fye ukufwatika noku dinda kuli ba Kateks
@Simpo Sitali
Read the report on Hon Sunday Chanda ‘s return to his Constituency on 19th December, 2025, through my crystal ball.
Hon Sunday Chanda, arrives in Kanchibiya, on Saturday 19th December…Crowds are on hand to receive their man , and women as usual dancing for the Hon Member of Parliament who has just voted for Hakainde ‘s illegitimate and unconstitutional Bill 7..
And straight away he is ushered into a meeting, expectant constituents, already seated eager for news from the Honorable Member of Parliament…
Sunday Chanda …” Aaai , Aaai , I voted for Hakainde ‘s illegitimate and unconstitutional Bill 7 because Kanchibiya is too big for me ” The bill will divide the Constituency in two so that we have 2 members of Parliament ”
And the questions begin…
.Hon MP , where will the Boundary of this New Constituency be ?
Hon Sunday Chanda, fidgeting like a wet Rat. ” Aaa , Aaa, Aaa I don’t know. Only the President knows!
. Hon Sunday Chanda, When were meetings held with the people to discuss the division of the Constituency, and how this was going to be done?
Hon Sunday Chanda….” I really don’t know. …I never attended such a meeting…Aaai I think it’s the prerogative of the President.
.Hon Sunday Chanda, we have various Chief Doms in Kanchibiya, in which Chiefdom will this new Constituency be ?
Hon Sunday Chanda, sweating profusely…Aaai, Aaaai, I don’t know!
.Hon MP, how have the Wards been divided between the Two Constituencies?
Are we going to have more wards created ?
Hon Sunday Chanda, eyes darting from place to place, I …Aaai, I Don’t know!
And actually, I don’t even know whether Kanchibiya will be divided into two Constituencies!
. They why did you vote for the Illegitimate and unconstitutional Bill 7 when you don’t know whether Kanchibiya will be divided into 2 Constituencies?
Sunday Chanda…Aaai , Aaai I don’t know!
As people start walking away from the meeting, downcast and disappointed.
“The Man doesn’t know anything, and yet he voted for the Bill” .
What a strange Member of Parliament we have!
Kwekwe said chicken