Final Report of the Commission of Inquiry on Voting Patterns and Electoral Violence

Overview

The Commission of Inquiry into Voting Patterns and Electoral Violence was appointed by President Edgar Chagwa Lungu on 21 October 2016 to investigate Zambia’s electoral behaviour between 2006 and 2016, and the violence surrounding the 2016 General ElectionsFinal Report of the Commission ….

The Commission, chaired by Justice Munalula Lisimba, conducted sittings in all ten provinces, receiving over 1,000 submissions from citizens, political parties, and civil society organizations.

Purpose

The inquiry aimed to determine:

• The causes of voting patterns across regions from 2006–2016.
• The root causes and perpetrators of electoral violence.
• The social, economic, and political impacts of these patterns and conflicts.
• Recommendations to promote peaceful, fair, and credible elections in future.

Key Findings on Voting Patterns

The Commission found that Zambia has become divided into two regional voting blocs — the north-eastern and south-western — whose split became more pronounced during the 2015 and 2016 elections. The main factors influencing these patterns were:

1. Tribalism and Regionalism: Voters tended to support candidates from their own tribe or region, leading to a strong ethnic divide.
2. Perceived Presidential Imbalance: Persistent belief that the presidency has been dominated by leaders from the north-east since independence.
3. Unequal Development and Resource Distribution: Discontent in the south-western provinces due to perceived marginalisation in government appointments and infrastructure projects.
4. Unfulfilled Development Promises: Longstanding pledges—such as the Barotse Agreement and local projects—remained unfulfilled, reinforcing regional resentmentFinal Report of the Commission ….

Findings on Electoral Violence

The 2016 elections were marked by intra- and inter-party violence, including:

• Importation of cadres into districts.
• Hate speech, provocation, and destruction of property.
• Delayed announcement of results.
• Selective application of the Public Order Act by police.
• Unprofessional conduct and political bias by some state institutions.

The Commission found that the Zambia Police Service failed to act independently, prompting political groups to employ their own “security wings,” escalating public disorder and fearFinal Report of the Commission ….

Social and Political Consequences

The inquiry revealed:

• Increased tribal and regional division, threatening national unity.
• Erosion of public trust in key state institutions (Police, Judiciary, ECZ).
• Victimisation of public officers after elections.
• Selective awarding of contracts and development projects based on political loyalty.

Main Recommendations

The Commission made extensive proposals across governance, electoral management, and peacebuilding:

1. Inclusiveness and Transparency:
   • Ensure equal opportunity for all citizens to participate as voters and candidates.
   • Strengthen transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
2. Media Reform:
   • Transform ZNBC into an independent public broadcaster.
   • Enact an Access to Information law and establish a media ombudsperson.
3. Electoral Governance:
   • Amend the Electoral Process Act and strengthen the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to ensure impartiality and adequate funding.
   • Introduce Electoral Fast Track Courts for timely resolution of disputes.
   • Regulate political parties through the Political Parties Bill.
4. Security and Justice:
   • Depoliticise the Zambia Police Service.
   • Investigate and prosecute perpetrators of electoral violence.
   • Review firearm laws to prevent political gun use.
5. Reconciliation and Institutional Reform:
   • Establish a National Peace Commission for dialogue and reconciliation.
   • Encourage church-led dialogue between major political parties (PF and UPND).
   • Expedite constitutional reforms to promote checks and balances.
6. Equitable Representation:
   • Amend laws to guarantee regional and gender balance in top government positions.
   • Strengthen decentralisation of fiscal and political power.

Conclusion

The Commission concluded that Zambia’s electoral divisions and violence threaten national cohesion, democratic governance, and public safety. It urged government, political parties, civil society, and citizens to act jointly in promoting inclusive, transparent, and peaceful elections to sustain the “One Zambia, One Nation” idealFinal Report of the Commission ….

Citation

Republic of Zambia (2019). Final Report of the Commission of Inquiry on Voting Patterns and Electoral Violence. Government Printer, Lusaka.