Stakeholders in Chama district in Eastern Province have proposed the creation of Chama Central as the third constituency in the district.

Chama is currently divided into Chama North, with 13 wards and Chama South, with 11 wards, making it the largest district in Eastern Province.

Chama District Electoral Officer (DEO) Francis Muzyani said the proposed delimitation of the district into three separate constituencies was a critical prerequisite for accelerating local development.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ delimitation meeting, Chama Town Council Secretary Mr Muzyani, said the current two-constituency structure was inadequate to ensure effective service delivery across a large district like Chama.

The DEO highlighted that geographical vastness of Chama makes it difficult for Members of Parliament (MPs), to effectively traverse their constituencies and consult with citizens in all wards.

He said under the current system, Constituency Development Funds (CDF) were stretched across massive areas, often leaving remote communities with minimal infrastructure improvements.

“Chama is simply too vast to be managed under only two constituencies. The distance between some wards and the boma makes it nearly impossible for effective representation and monitoring of developmental projects. “He disclosed.

Meanwhile the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) National Elections Trainer Hector Hatimbula said the successful delimitation of Chama District into three constituencies hinged on active participation and consensus from all local stakeholders.