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Its nearly six years since Edgar Lungu was sworn-in as President of Zambia, but President Lungu has struggled to address the fundamental socio-economic and political issues affecting the land-locked country today.
Today, Zambians go to the polls to decide Edgar Lungu's fate. Mr. Lungu is not the first Head of State to face this test, the late Kenneth Kaunda, (K.K), Frederick Chiluba, Levy Mwanawasa, Rupiah Banda and Michael Sata all experienced the effectiveness of Zambia's democracy.
As Zambia decides this Thursday, The African Manner decided to thŕow-back and briefly reflect on the election history of Zambia from 1964 to date.
1964.
ZAMBIA'S INDEPENDENCE
Zambia gained its independence and held its first general elections in 1964. The United Nations Independence Party (UNIP) took part in the general elections and won 55 of the 75 seats. The late K.K became Prime Minister and subsequently the President of Zambia on 24 October, 1964.
1968.
ONE MAN ONE VOTE
Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia went to the polls on December 10, 1968, in a historic general and democratic election. In a free Zambia, President Kaunda went head to head with Harry Nkumbula, the opposition leader of the Zambian African National Congress, (ZANC). President K.K won 82% of the total votes while Nkumbula received 18.2%.
1973.
THE GENESIS OF A ONE-PARTY STATE
The United Nations Independence Party became the only legal political movement in Zambia. The electorate had the option of either ticking yes or no on the ballot paper. The one-party state system received a warm welcome with 90% of the voters ticking in favor of K.K. The same system was applied for the 1978 election, as well as the 1983 and 1988 elections, with K.K re-elected each time.
1991.
THE END OF A ONE-PARTY STATE
In June, 1990, Zambia experienced widespread food riots and an attempted military rebellion. President Kenneth Kaunda agreed to hold multi-party elections in what many described as a gross political misjudgment. To some, K.K did the right thing; the people of Zambia were sick and tired of a failed one-party state.
The National Assembly legalized the formation of political parties and a new Constitution came into effect on 29 August, 1991.
Elections were held on 31 October, 1991 and Zambians jettisoned their long-time ruler. The Movement for Multi-party Democracy, (MMD) won 125 out of the 150 seats in the National Assembly while UNIP received only 25 seats. Frederick Chiluba, leader of the MMD party was elected President with 75% of the popular vote, marking the end of a one-party state.
1996.
CHILUBA RE-ELECTED
On 18 November, 1996, President Chiluba resoundingly won the political prize, pocketing 70% of the vote, while his party won 87% of the elected seats in the National Assembly.
1997.
ATTEMPTED MILITARY COUP
On 28 October, 1997, Captain Steven Lungu together with Captain Jack Chiti attempted a coup to topple President Chiluba. Frederick Chiluba's administration responded by suppressing the ambush, resulting in the death of one individual.
About 78 soldiers were detained, including Dean Mung'omba, the leader of the Zambia Democratic Congress and Moyse Kaulung'ombe. K.K was also part of the convicts. Perhaps the political commentators who described K.K's 1991 misjudgment were veracious. This time Chiluba was not only winning elections but went further to drown his rivals.
2001.
THE RISE OF LEVY MWANAWASA
Elections were held on 27 December, 2001 and the MMD won 43% of the seats in the National Assembly. The UPND won 30% of the seats while UNIP received 8% of the vote. Despite the calls for electoral fraud by opposition political parties, Levy Mwanawasa was sworn-in on June 2, 2002 in Lusaka.
2006.
MWANAWASA RE-ELECTED
In 2006, elections in Zambia were held on the 26th of September and Preident Mwanawasa was re-elected, winning by 43%. The MMD won 74 out of the 159 seats in the National Assembly while the Patriotic Front (PF) party led by Michael Sata won 44 seats.
2008.
MWANAWASA DIES
President Levy Mwanawasa died in August, 2008 from stroke complications. Elections were held to determine who would finish his leadership term. Rupiah Banda, the then Vice-President became acting president from August 19, before he was elected president on October 30, 2008.
2011.
SATA ELECTED PRESIDENT
Just like in 2006, elections were held in September again but with a different result. The Patriotic Front presidential candidate, Michael Sata won 42% of the vote while his party took home 60 out of the 148 seats.
2014.
MICHAEL SATA DIES
Following the death of President Sata on October 28, 2014, Vice President Guy Scott was named the designated survivor. Edgar Lungu was later officially elected as president in June, 2015 to finish Sata's term.
2016.
EDGAR LUNGU ELECTED PRESIDENT
The last general elections were held on the 11th of August, 2016 and unlike in 2021, Lungu's fate hangs in the balance on the 12th day of August. President Lungu received 48% of the vote and set in the National Assembly with 80 elected representatives from his party out of the 156.
August 12, 2021.
D-DAY FOR EDGAR LUNGU
History has the propensity of repeating itself, especially political events. Edgar Lungu faces off with Hakainde Hichilema, (H.H), a business tycoon and the major rivalry in this election. Edgar Lungu is aware of how close this election is; bearing in mind how he toiled so hard to convince 48% of the registered voters in 2016.
"The events that have occurred not only in Zambia but in Africa in general have been told differently - the true story of what actually happens is hardly told with sufficient authority and objectivity. Political events don't just occur, there is always someone, somewhere directing, but knowing who and why is not always easy".
Just like everybody else who is concerned about the future, The African Manner patiently waits for today's election outcome...
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