Former Kanchibiya Member of Parliament Sunday Chanda has attributed his election loss to his vote in favour of the contested Bill 7 constitutional amendment, saying constituents turned against him over the decision and that the party subsequently withheld campaign support because he was seen to have defied local sentiment.
Chanda said the practice within his party was for the leadership to consult stakeholders before major decisions, and that outcomes were meant to reflect those consultations. He said he was not deployed to campaign in Kanchibiya during the run-up to the election, a decision he linked directly to how his Bill 7 vote had been perceived among constituents and party structures.
The former legislator’s account offers a rare first-hand illustration of how constitutional reform debates, which dominated parliamentary business well before the election, continued to shape voter behaviour and party dynamics at constituency level. Bill 7 remained a politically divisive issue throughout its passage, with supporters and opponents divided along lines that did not always track neatly with party affiliation.
Chanda’s remarks suggest that his vote was interpreted locally as a break from the wishes of Kanchibiya residents, regardless of the broader political or constitutional justification he may have had for supporting the amendment at the time. He indicated that this perception hardened opposition to his candidacy well before the formal campaign period began.
He also pointed to the absence of campaign deployment as a compounding factor, describing it as a signal that the party itself had distanced itself from his position. Without that support, Chanda suggested, an already difficult path back to the seat became considerably harder to navigate.
The episode highlights a broader dynamic playing out across several constituencies this election cycle, where MPs who supported contentious legislation faced consequences at the ballot box regardless of their standing within party structures. Chanda’s case adds a personal dimension to that pattern, illustrating how quickly parliamentary votes on divisive national issues can translate into local political costs.
Chanda has not indicated whether he intends to remain active in politics or pursue any further role within his party following the loss. His comments, however, are likely to resonate with other legislators who supported Bill 7 and who may be assessing their own standing with constituents in its aftermath.
You are a hard working Man and no one can take it away. Bally noticed you and knowing the love he has for people who work hard, he will give you an assignment pls don’t let us down thinking that people don’t appreciate, your people just don’t know what is good for them, it’s understandable.
BaChanda, as MP for Kanchibiya, you did extremely well. The problem is not your performance, not even that you voted for Bill 7. You were serving people who donot know what is good for them. The majority are still trapped in the PF and viewed your crossing over to the UPND as an unforgivable act.
I admire the way you transitioned from being such an obnoxious character, as PF media director to a mature, responsible, hard working and objective MP for Kanchibiya constituency.
Don’t give up because of this temporary set back. You still have a lot to contribute to the welfare of Zambia. I wish you well and God’s guidance and blessings.
Mr. Chanda on the contrary you were a breath of fresh air in a political environment that was extremely toxic and unwilling to move on with what was progressive.
Your vote on the bill enabled even those who were against the bill to participate in the elections in the newly created constituencies.
The insincerity and double mindedness of most of the opposition candidates who vehemently opposed the bill and yet without shame still benefited as newly elected MPs from the same bill has exposed their inconsistency.
You now have an opportunity to present politics of ideas. You constituency can still be targeted to build your influence with UPND through your good efforts performed which will be difficult to replicate because you unlike others had put your heart into it. Well done!!