Ross Kasikili Wins Roma Constituency

The United Party for National Development (UPND) has secured a hard-fought victory in the newly established Roma Constituency, with candidate Ross Kasikili clinching the parliamentary seat after garnering 17,201 votes. The official announcement was made by Returning Officer Penelope Aongola at the Northmead Secondary School Totalling Centre, marking a significant milestone in the urban political landscape of Lusaka. Mr. Kasikili emerged victorious following a fiercely contested race, narrowly edging out former Lusaka Mayor Chilando Chitangala, who ran under the Resolute Party banner and finished a close second with 16,257 votes. The slender margin highlights the intense electoral competition characterising urban constituencies in the capital, where political realignments and grassroots mobilisation play critical roles in swaying the electorate. The newly formed Roma Constituency—carved out as part of the Electoral Commission of Zambia's ongoing delimitation exercise—brings together diverse urban and peri-urban wards, making it a crucial battleground for political parties seeking dominance in Lusaka Province. Throughout the campaign trail, Mr. Kasikili focused his messaging heavily on local economic empowerment, youth job creation, and leveraging the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to uplift small-scale marketeers and stimulate community-level industrial initiatives. Supporters celebrated the victory as a testament to the ruling party's enduring appeal in urban centers, despite mounting economic pressures and vocal opposition criticism. Political analysts note that the outcome reflects both the strategic advantage of the ruling party's ground structures and the growing influence of localized developmental promises in shaping voter choices during the 2026 general elections. As Mr. Kasikili prepares to take his place in the National Assembly, attention will now shift to how he plans to deliver on his ambitious campaign pledges. Residents of Roma Constituency aw