UPND scoops Roan parley seat

United Party for National Development (UPND) candidate Joel Chibuye has retained the Roan Parliamentary seat after emerging victorious in a closely watched contest involving some of Luanshya’s prominent political figures. The victory gives Mr Chibuye a second term as Roan…

United Party for National Development (UPND) candidate Joel Chibuye has retained the Roan Parliamentary seat after emerging victorious in a closely watched contest involving some of Luanshya’s prominent political figures.

The victory gives Mr Chibuye a second term as Roan Member of Parliament, having first won the seat in the 2021 General Election as an independent candidate before contesting this year’s election on the UPND ticket.

Mr Chibuye polled 8,101 votes, beating former Luanshya Mayor Nathan Chanda, an independent candidate who rallied behind securing second place with  6,433 while former Roan Member of Parliament and former Cabinet Minister Chishimba Kambwili on Citizens First polled a paltry 4,354

Roan Parliamentary Presiding Officer Foster Mweemba declared Mr Chibuye duly elected following the completion of verification and totaling of results in the constituency.

The result concludes a highly anticipated battle for Roan, which pitted the incumbent against two political figures with a long history in Luanshya politics.

Mr Chanda previously served as Luanshya Mayor, while Mr Kambwili previously represented Roan Constituency and served as a Cabinet Minister.

A total of 21,484 votes were cast and 317 ballots were rejected.

Speaking after being declared winner, Mr Chibuye thanked the people of Roan for renewing his mandate and pledged to continue working towards the development of the constituency.

The parliamentary result was announced following the completion of the verification and totaling process at the Roan Constituency Totaling Centre.