Judges of the Supreme Court and High Court are appointed by the President of the republic on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission, subject to ratification by the National Assembly. Judges have tenure of office until they retire. Government and politics Last elections: 20 September 2011 (legislative), 20 January 2015 (presidential) Next elections: 2016 (presidential and legislative) Head of state: President Edgar Lungu Head of government: The President Ruling party: Patriotic Front Women MPs: 11% In May 2001 Vice-President Christon Tembo and more than 80 senior members of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) left the party to form the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD). Since, under the 1996 constitution, Frederick Chiluba could not stand for a third term of office and he was unable to muster enough support for constitutional change, Levy Patrick Mwanawasa was chosen in August as MMD’s candidate for the 2001 presidential election, the third since the restoration of multiparty politics in July 1990. In a very close contest and with only 29 per cent of the votes, Mwanawasa won the December 2001 presidential election; Anderson Mazoka of the United Party for National Development (UPND) came second with 27 per cent of the votes, Tembo (FDD) secured 13 per cent, Tilyeni Kaunda (United National Independence Party – UNIP) ten per cent and Ben Mwila (Republican Party) five per cent. In the simultaneous general election, the MMD won 69 seats, the UPND 49, the UNIP 13 and the FDD 12, but, even with its eight nominated members, the MMD was short of an absolute majority. The opposition was, however, fragmented and during 2003 Mwanawasa encouraged further fragmentation by bringing several individual opposition members into positions in his government. In a fiercely contested presidential election in September 2006 Mwanawasa won a second term, substantially increasing his share of the votes to 43 per cent. Michael Sata of the Patriotic Front came second with 29 per cent of the votes and Hakainde Hichilema of the United Democratic Alliance came third with 25 per cent. In the parliamentary elections that were held on 28 September and 26 October 2006, Mwanawasa’s MMD gained 74 seats and, with the eight nominated members, an overall majority in the National Assembly. The Patriotic Front won 43 seats and the United Democratic Alliance 26. Turnout was 71 per cent. 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 byelection 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 Z amb i a the Patriotic Front won 61 seats, the MMD 55 and the UPND 29. Turnout was 54 per cent. 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. 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 61 seats, MMD 55 and UPND 29. Turnout was 54 per cent. 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. President Sata died on 28 October 2014 and Vice-President Guy Scott took office as acting President. The consequent presidential election, held on 20 January 2015, was won by the Patriotic Front’s candidate, Edgar Lungu (with 48.8 per cent of votes). His principal opponent was Hakainde Hichilema of UPND (47.2 per cent). President Lungu was sworn in on 25 January 2015 to serve the rest of President Sata’s term until the next presidential, parliamentary and local government elections in 2016. Turnout was 32 per cent. 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 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 Governance institutions Commonwealth Governance Handbook 2014/15 289 Bank of Zambia: www.boz.zm Bureau of Standards: www.zabs.org.zm Electoral Commission of Zambia: www.elections.org.zm Judiciary: www.judiciary.gov.zm Lusaka Stock Exchange: www.luse.co.zm Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry: www.mcti.gov.zm Ministry of Finance: www.mofnp.gov.zm Ministry of Local Government and Housing: www.mlgh.gov.zm President’s Office: www.statehouse.gov.zm Zambian Parliament: www.parliament.gov.zm
CEP template 2012
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