Meeting electoral needs, maintaining cohesion and smooth democratic transition stare at Zambian transitional authorities.

Zambia’s acting President, Dr Guy Scott while announcing the date for the by-election to replace Michael Sata on November 18 said, “I wish to reiterate my profound gratitude to the general public for the maturity, love and peace exhibited during the State funeral of our late President His Excellency, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata.

It is my prayer that we will continue with the same spirit during the campaigns and the presidential by-election.” Dr Guy Scott’s appeal is a pointer to the inherent challenges in the country’s transitional process that will culminate in the presidential by-election of January 20, 2015.

Electoral Materials

The Electoral Commission of Zambia submitted to government a total budget of local currency K344 million (about 5.4 million US Dollars) to successfully hold the presidential by-election.  The Acting Secretary to the Treasury, Pamela Ababa disclosed in a statement signed  by the Ministry of Finance Public Relations Officer, Chileshe Kandeta that government has released  K128 million for the upcoming election.

The Public Relations Manager of the Electoral Commission of Zambia, Cris Akufuna reportedly said they discussed the budget already and gave it to the Treasury. He said the budget is still under discussion with cooperating partners in terms of what they are able to support. Aspiring candidates, he said, are required to pay K10,000 non-refundable nomination fee.

Political Cohesion

The succession battle in the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) is the key challenge to the acting President Guy Scott and the country at large. Before the burial of President Michael Sata, Guy Scott and the Secretary General of the Patriotic Front, Edgar Lungu who is also the current Defence Minister had been at daggers-drawn  as Guy Scott dismissed Mr Lungu from his position in the party and only reinstated him after street demonstrations. Edgar Lungu is one of the presidential aspirants of the PF.

The tumultuous relations in the ruling party further surfaces over whom among the eight aspirants to be its candidate in the by-election.  What is certain is that the party will only nominate one candidate but the scars of division and rivalry will remain a serious challenge to handle. The country’s leading opposition, Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) is also passing through a trying moment as there are difficult talks between the two party barons, Nevers Mumba and Rupiah Banda who are all eyeing the presidency.

Credible Electoral Process

The Public Relations Manager of the Electoral Commission, talking to the press revealed that it has set December 17 to 19, 2014 as the nominate dates. He said after the announcement of the political timetable, participating political parties would officially start campaigning. All these are measures to ensure transparent, credible and acceptable election.  The Commission also has to start replacing damaged and lost voters’ cards. All these are just some of the preparatory activities incumbent on the transitional authorities.  The key challenge here will likely be in the number of candidates as the opposition apparently is not ready to choose a single candidate to face that of the ruling party.