Zambian general election, 2016: Difference between revisions
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==Electoral system== | ==Electoral system== | ||
Although previously the President had been elected in a single round of voting by the [[first-past-the-post voting|first-past-the-post system]], the National Assembly | Although previously the President had been elected in a single round of voting by the [[first-past-the-post voting|first-past-the-post system]], in 2015 the National Assembly approved the change in the constitution to change to a [[two-round system]].<ref>[http://www.janes.com/article/56569/closely-fought-2016-election-would-increase-localised-violence-risks-and-put-pressure-on-zambia-s-austerity-plans Closely fought 2016 election would increase localised violence risks and put pressure on Zambia's austerity plans] IHS Jane's 360, 9 December 2015</ref> The constitutional change also introduced the concept of running mates; previously the vice president was appointed after the elections. The running mate, now being an elected member, can assume office directly if the president is deemed unfit to rule.<ref name=HZ>[http://www.herald.co.zw/expectant-mood-as-zambians-gear-for-general-elections/ Expectant mood as Zambians gear for general elections] The Herald, 4 July 2016</ref> | ||
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==Candidates== | ==Candidates== |
Revision as of 14:26, 2 August 2016
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General elections will be held in Zambia on 11 August 2016 to elect the President and National Assembly.[2][3] A constitutional referendum will be held alongside the elections, with proposals to amend the bill of rights and Article 79.[4]
Background
The previous general elections in 2011 resulted in a victory for the Patriotic Front (PF), whose candidate Michael Sata was elected President, with the PF winning 61 of the 150 seats in the National Assembly.[5] Following Sata's death in October 2014, early presidential elections were held to elect a successor to complete the remainder of his five-year term, and PF candidate Edgar Lungu was elected.
Electoral system
Although previously the President had been elected in a single round of voting by the first-past-the-post system, in 2015 the National Assembly approved the change in the constitution to change to a two-round system.[6] The constitutional change also introduced the concept of running mates; previously the vice president was appointed after the elections. The running mate, now being an elected member, can assume office directly if the president is deemed unfit to rule.[7]
Candidates
A total of nine candidates along with their running mates registered to run for the presidency. Out of the 46 political parties, only five managed to pay their candidate's deposit by the deadline of 17 May 2016. The deadline was subsequently extended by a day, with four other parties nominating a candidate.[8]
The race is expected to be a close race mainly between Edgar Lungu of the Patriotic Front and Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development. Both leaders competed in the 2015 presidential elections and Lungu won by a very narrow margin.[7]
Presidential candidate | Running Mate | Party | |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Tiyenji Chanda Kaunda | Njekwa Ement Anamela | United National Independence Party |
2 | Nawakwi Zewelani Edith | Clement Mwanza | Forum for Democracy and Development |
3 | Edgar Lungu | Inonge Wina | Patriotic Front |
4 | Saviour Chishimba | Sinanzeni Chuma | United Progressive Party |
5 | Wynter Kabimba | Cosmas Musumali | Rainbow Party |
6 | Peter Sinkamba | Tafeni Clement | Green Party |
7 | Hakainde Hichilema | Geoffrey Mwamba | United party for National Development |
8 | Andyford Banda | Enock Tonga | People's Alliance for Change |
9 | Maxwell Mwamba | Rosemary Kabungo | Democratic assembly |
References
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- ↑ Lua error in ...ribunto/includes/engines/LuaCommon/lualib/mwInit.lua at line 23: bad argument #1 to 'old_ipairs' (table expected, got nil).
- ↑ Zambia votes in presidential elections BBC News, 20 January 2015
- ↑ Zambia sets presidential election to August 2016 Al Jazeera, 4 January 2016
- ↑ Government to hold Referendum along side the 2016 General Elections Lusaka Times, 16 March 2015
- ↑ Last elections IPU
- ↑ Closely fought 2016 election would increase localised violence risks and put pressure on Zambia's austerity plans IHS Jane's 360, 9 December 2015
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Expectant mood as Zambians gear for general elections The Herald, 4 July 2016
- ↑ Only 5 Parties to take party in the Presidential Elections as Frank Bwalya mocks Eric Chanda Lusaka Times, 18 May 2016