Zambia Election Support Activity

Working with Development Associates,Inc., under a USAID Task Order, the Joint Center engaged in activities to (1) increase the capacity of Zambian civic organizations to monitor and observe elections, (2) train and educate civic organizations concerning Zambia's Electoral Code of Conduct, (3) strengthen Zambian media coverage and reporting of elections and election-related activities, and (4) establish a Resource Center for civic organizations, the media, political parties and other stakeholders.

Despite the very short time frame to implement the project (about 17 weeks of on-the-ground activity) there were numerous significant and notable achievements. Our intervention not only achieved its objectives, but we also (1) brought together the largest number of journalists at one time that any of them could recall, for the media workshop, (2) created environments and opportunities for Zambian NGO¹s to come together and have a productive, meaningful dialogue and learn more about each other in the process and (3) successfully reached out and connected with segments of the population that are often marginalized and involved them in the process, and (4) conducted workshops in remote areas that exposed Zambians to training opportunities not often available.

The presidential, parliamentary and local elections took place on December 27, 2001. By all assessments, they were peaceful and open. There have been allegations of ballot tampering and other irregularities, as well as subsequent problems with succession as President Levy Mwanawasa faces legal challenges. By African standards, these were better elections than most.