The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) today held a stakeholder engagement meeting with Traditional Leaders in Kasama District as part of preparations for the Kasama Municipal Council Mayoral by-election scheduled for Thursday, 29th January 2026.
The meeting brought together Their Royal Highnesses, senior chiefs, village headmen and women, electoral officials, council staff and other stakeholders.
The engagement was officially opened by ECZ Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Dr. Collins Kachaka, on behalf of the Commission.
Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Kachaka emphasized the critical role Traditional Leaders play in the electoral process as custodians of cultural values and community unity. He noted that voters are subjects of traditional leadership and therefore chiefs and headpersons remain key stakeholders in promoting peace, tolerance and adherence to the electoral code of conduct.
Dr. Kachaka urged Traditional Leaders to help safeguard the peace Kasama District enjoys by ensuring their subjects are not intimidated, coerced or influenced into acts of violence during the electoral period. He further called on them to encourage communities to participate freely in the by-election and to respect differing political views while remaining united.
The ECZ Director also informed the Traditional Leaders that the official campaign period commenced on Wednesday, 31st December 2025, and will end at 18:00 hours on Wednesday, 28th January 2026, urging them to guide their communities to observe the provisions of the Electoral Code of Conduct as provided under the Electoral Process Act No. 35 of 2016.
In his remarks, Senior Chief Mwamba thanked the Electoral Commission of Zambia for engaging the Traditional Leadership and encouraged the Commission to continue holding such consultative meetings, noting that dialogue plays a key role in promoting peaceful elections.
The Kasama Municipal Council reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the ECZ and all stakeholders to ensure a peaceful and credible by-election in the district.
