“This is a very important election, and I couldn’t miss it even though I am still mourning,” Tasila Lungu

228 Views Former Chawama Member of Parliament Tasila Lungu, accompanied by her husband Patrick Mwansa, was among Zambians who cast their votes early on Thursday at Kabulonga Boys Polling Station in Lusaka. Speaking to journalists shortly after voting, Lungu, daughter of the late former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, said the 2026 General […]

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Former Chawama Member of Parliament Tasila Lungu, accompanied by her husband Patrick Mwansa, was among Zambians who cast their votes early on Thursday at Kabulonga Boys Polling Station in Lusaka.

Speaking to journalists shortly after voting, Lungu, daughter of the late former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, said the 2026 General Election carries special weight for her and for the country.

“This is a very important election, and I couldn’t miss it even I am still mourning,” she said.

Tasila urged fellow citizens to participate fully and to exercise patience at polling stations.

“I urge all Zambians to get out in their numbers and vote,” she said. “Please be patient. Do not be frustrated no matter how long you have to wait, until you cast your vote.”

She added that the outcome of today’s vote will shape the country’s direction. “The country’s future depends on today’s vote,” she said.

Thursday marked Tasila’s first major public appearance since her extended absence from the public.

Following the death of her father, former President Edgar Lungu, Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti subsequently declared the Chawama parliamentary seat vacant citing prolonged absence.

That decision ignited fierce national debate about parliamentary procedure, representation, and bereavement. It ultimately led to a heavily contested by-election in January 2026 to elect a new MP for Chawama.

Throughout that period, and amid the ongoing, deeply personal discussions around her late father’s final resting arrangements, Tasila remained largely out of public view. She made few media appearances and focused on private family matters.

Her decision to turn out to vote on Thursday therefore drew significant attention at Kabulonga Boys, where queues had formed from early morning.

Tasila arrived at the polling station alongside her husband and former Kabulonga Ward 16 Councillor.

The couple appeared calm as they joined voters in the busy lanes and completed the voting process.

The area holds personal significance for both of them. Tasila and Patrick first met years ago while serving as local government councillors in Lusaka. Their working relationship later turned personal, culminating in a highly publicised wedding ceremony in 2020 that drew political figures and residents from across the capital.

On Thursday, they moved through the station without a formal motorcade or entourage, interacting briefly with electoral officials and party agents present to monitor the process.

While Tasila did not issue an official press statement, her brief remarks to the media were widely shared. Her presence alone, observers noted, carried weight in a constituency that she represented for five years.

Voters at Kabulonga Boys reacted warmly to seeing the former MP. Some paused to greet her. Others said her turnout encouraged them to stay in line despite the wait.

“She is mourning, but she still came to vote. That tells you how important this is,” said one voter in her 40s. A first-time voter said he recognized her from her time as MP and appreciated the message to be patient.

Electoral officials said the opening and voting process at the station was smooth. Party agents were seated with registers, and security personnel maintained order without interfering with voters.

The SADC Election Observation Mission also visited Kabulonga Boys earlier in the morning to witness opening procedures, underscoring the attention on Lusaka polling centers.

For much of the last year, the political conversation around Chawama has focused on the vacancy and the by-election that followed. The seat, once held by Tasila, has been central to debates about continuity, party strength in Lusaka, and voter turnout in urban constituencies.

Tasila’s decision to vote, without making a broader political address, was interpreted by many as a deliberate choice to re-enter civic space quietly.

Zambians across all 10 provinces are voting Thursday for President, Members of Parliament, and councilors. More than 8 million voters are registered. Polling stations opened at 06:00 hours and will close in the evening before counting begins.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia has urged voters to remain peaceful and patient. Regional observer missions, including SEOM, are monitoring the process against SADC’s democratic guidelines.