Vote counting, Zambian Presidential Elections, 27 December 2001

Zambia: 2001 Presidential candidates

Updated October 2001

On 4 December 2000 the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) initiated the process of printing ballot papers and requested all political parties with presidential candidates to send a representative to witness the process.

A total of 11 candidates successfully filed their nominations for the presidency. There are 34 political parties in Zambia, and 10 of these have announced their intention to participate in the parliamentary poll.

The list of the 11 presidential candidates is presented below:

  • Levy Mwanawasa for the ruling Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD). Levy Mwanawasa is a state advocate who served as vice president in Chiluba's first cabinet until 1994, when he resigned in protest against rampant official corruption. If elected, the 53-year-old politician promised to curb official corruption and to strengthen the institutions of democracy.
  • Anderson Mazoka of the United Party for National Development (UPND).
  • Lieutenant-General Christon Tembo of the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD). Tembo is a former army commander who leads the fledgling opposition Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD).
  • Tilyenji Kaunda of the United National Independence Party (UNIP).
  • Benjamin Mwila of the Zambia Republican Party (ZRP) is a millionaire businessman.
  • Pastor Nevers Mumba of the National Citizens Coalition (NCC).
  • Yobert Shamapande of the National Leadership for Development (NLD).
  • Brigadier-General Godfrey Miyanda of Heritage Party. Godfrey Miyanda, a retired army general and former vice-president, who leads the Heritage Party, is another strong contender. He was a member of Chiluba's cabinet until early 2001, when he and other senior MMD officials were ejected from the party for blocking plans by Chiluba to run for an unconstitutional third term. Miyanda formed Heritage Party soon afterwards and has since projected himself as a staunch Christian and shrewd politician.
  • Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika of Agenda for Zambia.
  • Gwendoline Konie of Social Democratic Party (SDP).
  • Michael Sata of the Patriotic Front (PF).