Z amb i a Commonwealth Governance Handbook 2013/14 313 Alliance came third with 25 per cent. In the simultaneous parliamentary elections Mwanawasa’s MMD gained 72 seats and with the eight nominated members a narrow overall majority over the Patriotic Front (46 seats) and the United Democratic Alliance (27). President Levy Mwanawasa suffered a stroke in June 2008 and died in August of that year. Vice-President Rupiah Banda became Acting President in June 2008 and was sworn in as President in November, shortly after he won the October 2008 presidential by-election with 40.6 per cent of votes. He defeated Sata of the Patriotic Front (38.6 per cent) and Hichilema of the UPND (20 per cent). Turnout was 45 per cent. Presidential, parliamentary and local elections were held on the same day in September 2011. Michael Sata (Patriotic Front) won the presidential election, securing about 43 per cent of the votes cast; the incumbent Banda (MMD) took about 36 per cent and Hichilema (UPND) about 18 per cent. In the parliamentary elections the Patriotic Front won 60 seats, MMD 55 and UPND 28. A Commonwealth observer group led by former Nigerian President General Yakubu Gowon affirmed that the elections represented further progress for Zambia in strengthening its democratic processes and that voters were able to express their will freely. Local government Ministry: Local Government and Housing Association: Local Government Association of Zambia Local government is provided for by the Local Government Act 1991 and the Local Government Elections Act 1992, and it is enshrined in Part 8 of the constitution. The Ministry of Local Government and Housing is responsible for local government, which comprises four city councils, 14 municipal councils and 55 district councils. Local elections are held every five years. The local authorities have revenue-raising powers, as well as receiving transfers from national government. They are responsible for a range of infrastructure and services, including policing; water and sanitation; fire services; roads; and agricultural support services. National development plan The National Long Term Vision 2030, Zambia’s first longrange plan, was launched in December 2006, following a broad national consultation process. This expresses the aspirations of Zambians to be realised by the year 2030, while the concurrent five-year plan and annual budgets set out shorter-term targets for the achievement of these aspirations. The current plan is the Sixth National Development Plan (2011–15). The vision is to become a prosperous middle-income country by the year 2030, underpinned by the principles of gender-responsive sustainable development; democracy; respect for human rights; good traditional and family values; a positive attitude to work; peaceful coexistence; and public–private partnerships. Policy The principal goals of Vision 2030 are a common and shared destiny, united in diversity, equitably integrated and democratic in governance; and devolved political systems and structures. The Vision presents three development scenarios, namely ‘baseline’, ‘preferred’ and ‘optimistic’. The socio-economic development objectives enshrined in the preferred scenario were: • Annual real growth of at least six per cent during 2006–10, eight per cent 2011–15, nine per cent 2016–20, and ten per cent 2021–30 • Annual inflation rate of less than five per cent • The proportion of the national population living in poverty reduced to less than 20 per cent • Income inequalities measured by a Gini coefficient reduced to less than 40 • Access to an improved water source and adequate sanitation facilities delivered to 100 per cent of the population • Education for all • Equitable access to quality health care for all. The priorities of the Sixth National Development Plan (2011–15) are to: • Accelerate infrastructure development, economic growth and diversification • Promote rural investment and accelerate poverty reduction and enhance human development Governance Leading governance bodies include the Governance Secretariat; Office of the Auditor-General; and Anti- Corruption Commission. Good governance is seen as essential to ensuring that development outcomes benefit all Zambians. The focus during the current five-year plan period is on building capacity in and decentralisation of the governance institutions. Other governance objectives and initiatives include incorporation of the provisions of the international human rights instruments into domestic law, implementation of parliamentary reforms, Access to Justice Programme, National Anti-Corruption Policy and African Peer Review Mechanism National Plan of Action.
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