Mbala Chiefs Propose Removal of Underperforming Leaders

Sub-Chief Chikoko of Mbala District in Northern Province has proposed a constitutional amendment to allow underperforming elected leaders to be removed from office before the expiry of their five-year tenure.

Sub-Chief Chikoko says it is saddening that citizens have to wait for five years to vote out leaders who fail to deliver on their promises.

He has observed that some councillors and members of Parliament only engage with the electorate when soliciting for votes, but disappeare after being elected, only to resurface during election campaigns.

The traditional leader has argued that such leaders should not be allowed to remain in office until the end of their term, proposing that the law should provide for an early vote to replace them with other candidates.

Sub-Chief Chikoko was speaking during an Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) engagement meeting with traditional leaders in Mbala ahead of the by-election scheduled for November 2026.

Meanwhile, Mbala District Electoral Officer Laura Munkata has urged traditional leaders to encourage their subjects to participate in the electoral process and understand the importance of voting.

And Ms. Munkata says the concerns raised by traditional leaders have been noted and will be submitted to the ECZ head office in Lusaka for consideration.