President

The election of the president is by universal adult suffrage and by secret ballot. The president is elected for a term of five years and is limited to two terms. The presidential representative of the democratic republic is both head of state and government and the commander-in-chief of the defence forces. It is required that the presidential candidate is a citizen of Zambia, that both parents of a candidate are Zambian-born and that he is at least 35 years of age. The president presides over meetings of the cabinet; he accredits, receives and recognises ambassadors; and appoints ambassadors, plenipotentiaries, diplomatic representatives and consuls. The vice-president and ministers are appointed by the president.