2021 General election: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox election basic
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2021 Zambian general election
| election_name = 2021 Zambian General Election
| country      = Zambia
| type = Presidential
| type         = presidential
| election_date = 12 August 2021
| election_date = {{Start date|2021|8|12|df=yes}}
| country = Zambia
| turnout       = 70.61%
| turnout = 65.3%
| registered   =  
| registered = 7,300,000
| previous_link = [[2016 Zambian general election|2016]]
| previous_link = 2021 Zambian general election
| next_link     = [[Next Zambian general election|2026]]
| previous_year = 2021
| next_link = 2031 Zambian general election
| next_year = 2031
| nominee1 = Hakainde Hichilema
| party1 = UPND
| popular_vote1 = 3,000,000
| percentage1 = 51.2
| nominee2 = Edgar Lungu
| party2 = PF
| popular_vote2 = 2,600,000
| percentage2 = 44.3
| map_image = Zambia 2026 election map.png
}}


| image1        = [[File:HH2022.png|130x130px]]
The 2021 General elections were held across Zambia on 12 August 2021 to elect the [[President]], the 156 elected members of the [[National Assembly]], and representatives for local government. This election is widely regarded as a watershed moment, marking a decisive democratic transition and the nation's third peaceful alternation of power since the return to multi-party democracy in [[1991 General election|1991]].
| nominee1      = [[Hakainde Hichilema]]
| running_mate1 = [[Mutale Nalumango]]
| party1        = United Party for National Development
| popular_vote1 = 2,852,348
| percentage1  = (59.02%)


| image2        = [[File:Edgar Lungu, 26 july 2018 (cropped).jpg|130x130px]]
The polls were conducted under an environment of considerable economic strain—characterized by high national debt and increasing cost of living—and the public health challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, the election became a defining contest over the direction of the national economy and the strengthening of democratic institutions.
| nominee2      = [[Edgar Lungu]]
| running_mate2 = [[Nkandu Luo]]
| party2        = Patriotic Front (Zambia)
| popular_vote2 = 1,870,780
| percentage2  = (38.71%)


| map          = [[File:Maps-blogs21-lightonphiri org-2021 zambia presidential elections-by constituencies-overall.svg|300px]]
The [[2021 Presidential election|presidential]] contest was a highly competitive affair, primarily featuring the incumbent [[Edgar Lungu]] of the [[Patriotic Front]] (PF) and the long-serving opposition leader [[Hakainde Hichilema]] of the [[United Party for National Development]] (UPND). Citizen engagement was evident through a high voter turnout of 70.61%, the highest recorded in a general election since [[2006 General election|2006]].
| map_caption  = 2021 Presidential results by constituency


| title            = President
The result was a commanding victory for Hakainde Hichilema, who secured 59.02% of the valid votes. This outcome delivered an outright majority in the first round and culminated in a peaceful transfer of power on 24 August 2021. The election result affirmed Zambia's commitment to constitutional democracy and set the country on a new political trajectory.
| before_election  = [[Edgar Lungu]]
 
| before_party    = Patriotic Front (Zambia)
 
| after_election  = [[Hakainde Hichilema]]
==Electoral System==
| after_party      = United Party for National Development
The 2021 General Election was conducted under the framework of the [[Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act, 2016|Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016]] and the [[Electoral Process Act No. 35 of 2016]]. The election was managed by the [[Electoral Commission of Zambia]] (ECZ). Voters across the nation participated in simultaneous elections for the President, the National Assembly, and local government officials.
}}
 
===Presidential Election===
The President is elected using the two-round system. To win in the first round, a candidate must secure more than 50% of the valid votes cast. If no candidate achieves this threshold, a second round (run-off) election is held between the top two contenders.


The 2021 Zambian General Election was a pivotal event in the nation's democratic journey, reflecting the aspirations and challenges of Zambia as a young democracy. Conducted on August 12, 2021, the elections were held to choose the President, members of the National Assembly, and local government representatives. These elections attracted significant interest both locally and internationally due to their implications for Zambia's political stability, governance, and development.
===National Assembly===
The National Assembly is composed of 167 members, determined as follows:
* 156 Elected Members: Elected directly by voters through the first-past-the-post system in single-member constituencies across the country.
* 8 Appointed Members: Nominated by the President after consultation, adding expertise or ensuring representation.
* 3 Ex-Officio Members: These are the Vice-President, the Speaker, and a Deputy Speaker elected from outside the National Assembly.


The election was marked by intense competition primarily between the incumbent President Edgar Lungu of the Patriotic Front (PF) and opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema from the United Party for National Development (UPND). Voter turnout was high, underscoring the Zambian people’s commitment to democratic participation despite economic and social challenges triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 election was conducted amidst calls for transparency, respect for electoral laws, and peaceful conduct by all candidates and their supporters.
To be eligible to vote, a citizen must be at least 18 years of age. Candidates for the National Assembly must be at least 21 years of age.


Ultimately, the 2021 General Election resulted in a peaceful transfer of power, with Hakainde Hichilema winning the presidency, signaling a significant moment of democratic progress in Zambia. This election solidified Zambia's reputation as a resilient democracy in Africa and shaped the country's political landscape for the years to come.
==Candidates==
A total of sixteen candidates registered to run for the presidency. The race was expected to be a close race between [[Edgar Lungu]] of the [[Patriotic Front (Zambia)|Patriotic Front]] and [[Hakainde Hichilema]] of the [[United Party for National Development]]. Both competed in the [[2016 Zambian general election|2016 presidential elections]], which Lungu won by a margin of 50.35% to 47.63%.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-09-22|title=2016 National Assembly Elections|url=https://www.elections.org.zm/results/2016_national_assembly_elections|access-date=2021-06-30|website=Electoral Commission of Zambia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160922215316/https://www.elections.org.zm/results/2016_national_assembly_elections|archive-date=22 September 2016}}</ref>


{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="4" |Registered candidates<ref>{{Cite web|date=20 May 2021|title=ECZ Chairperson Justice Esau E. Chulu Closes 2021 General Election Nomination Centre|url=https://www.elections.org.zm/2021/05/20/ecz-chairperson-justice-esau-e-chulu-closes-2021-general-election-nomination-centre/|url-status=live|access-date=30 June 2021|website=Electoral Commission of Zambia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521233042/https://www.elections.org.zm/2021/05/20/ecz-chairperson-justice-esau-e-chulu-closes-2021-general-election-nomination-centre/ |archive-date=21 May 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-21|title=Close Of The ECZ 2021 General Election Nomination Centre|url=https://www.zambianobserver.com/close-of-the-ecz-2021-general-election-nomination-centre/|access-date=2021-06-30|website=The Zambian Observer|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-19|title=M'membe, Hamududu, Kalaba successfully file in nominations|url=https://www.znbc.co.zm/news/mmembe-hamududu-kalaba-successfully-file-in-nominations/|access-date=2021-06-30|website=ZNBC|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-06-20|title=2021 Zambia Presidential Elections Candidates and Running Mates Full Detailed List|language=en-US|work=Zambia Politics News|url=https://www.zambianpolitics.com/2021-zambia-presidential-elections-candidates-and-running-mates-full-detailed-list/|access-date=2021-06-30|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623165712/https://www.zambianpolitics.com/2021-zambia-presidential-elections-candidates-and-running-mates-full-detailed-list/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
! colspan="2" |Presidential candidate
!Running mate
!Party
|-
|1.
|[[Edgar Lungu]]
|[[Nkandu Luo]]
|[[Patriotic Front (Zambia)|Patriotic Front]]
|-
|2.
|[[Enock Tonga]]
|[[Bright Chomba]]
|3rd Liberation Movement
|-
|3.
|[[Sean Enock Tembo]]
|[[Henry Muleya]]
|Patriots For Economic Progress
|-
|4.
|[[Andyford Banda]]
|[[Gerald Mulao]]
|People’s Alliance For Change
|-
|5.
|[[Chishala Kateka]]
|[[Samuel Kasanka]]
|[[New Heritage Party]]
|-
|6.
|[[Kasonde Mwenda]]
|[[Changala Siame]]
|Economic Freedom Fighters
|-
|7.
|[[Stephen Nyirenda]]
|[[Lucy Changwe]]
|[[National Restoration Party (Zambia)|National Restoration Party]]
|-
|8.
|[[Lazarus Chisela]]
|[[Rosemary Chivumba]]
|Zambians United For Sustainable Development
|-
|9.
|[[Richard Silumbe]]
|[[Kaela Kamwenshe]]
|Leadership Movement
|-
|10.
|[[Highvie Hamududu]]
|[[Kasote Singogo]]
|[[Party of National Unity and Progress]]
|-
|11.
|[[Fred M'membe]]
|[[Cosmas Musumali]]
|[[Socialist Party (Zambia)|Socialist Party]]
|-
|12.
|[[Harry Kalaba]]
|[[Judith Kabemba]]
|[[Democratic Party (Zambia)|Democratic Party]]
|-
|13.
|[[Hakainde Hichilema]]
|[[Mutale Nalumango]]
|[[United Party for National Development]]
|-
|14.
|[[Nevers Mumba]]
|[[Reuben Sambo]]
|[[Movement for Multi-Party Democracy]]
|-
|15.
|[[Charles Chanda]]
|[[Simon Mbulu]]
|United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia
|-
|16.
|[[Trevor Mwamba]]
|[[John Harawa]]
|[[United National Independence Party]]
|}


==Campaign==
==Campaign==
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