SUNDAY CHANDA WITHDRAWS KANCHIBIYA ELECTION PETITION
FORMER Kanchibiya Member of Parliament Sunday Chanda has withdrawn his petition challenging the outcome of the 2026 parliamentary election, saying the decision has been made in the interest of peace, development and the people.
Mr Chanda said he had justiciable grounds to challenge the election result and acknowledged that supporters and other citizens had encouraged him to proceed with the legal challenge.
However, he said after consultations and careful reflection, he had decided to put the broader interests of Kanchibiya above his personal political ambitions.
He said his decision was informed by his five years of service to the constituency, during which he claimed several development projects were implemented, including bridges, mini-hospitals, schools, roads, communication towers and water projects.
“I ran a good race. I fought a good fight. I served with everything I had,” Mr Chanda said.
He said he was leaving office without bitterness or regret and had symbolically handed over the baton to his predecessor, Sampa Muswema, to continue serving the constituency.
Mr Chanda also defended his decision to support Bill 7 and the delimitation exercise, saying the creation of two constituencies from the former Kanchibiya area would increase representation and potentially expand access to Constituency Development Fund resources.
He said his approach in Parliament had been guided by the principle that development should take precedence over political differences.
“Development does not wear political regalia,” he said
Mr Chanda expressed gratitude to President Hakainde Hichilema, whom he described as a development partner for Kanchibiya, saying the President had responded positively to requests for infrastructure and other projects.
He recalled the President telling him: “Sunday mwaice wandi, I like your talent, isa tubombe bonse.”
Mr Chanda further urged residents to reject tribalism and promote national unity.
“Kanchibiya belongs to Zambia,” he said.
He said withdrawing the petition should not be interpreted as an admission that he lacked grounds to challenge the election.
“I choose peace. I choose continuity of development,” Mr Chanda said.
He urged the incoming MP to focus on development, cooperation and unity, saying his commitment to Kanchibiya remained unchanged.
“I remain a son of Kanchibiya,” Mr Chanda said.