Introduction

For any democratic election to take place, there is a need for candidates to contest elections. The Contestants are referred to as candidates. Candidate nomination is therefore a formal process of endorsing a candidate’s participation in an election. Due process has to be followed. The Returning Officer should draw up a timetable for lodging of nominations.

Qualification of and requirements for candidates

Section 33 of the Electoral Act No. 12 of 2006 stipulates that any person desiring to be a candidate for an election shall file such application with the Returning Officer. For Any Interested Person, the qualification for the different categories are as follows:

(a)    Presidential

Qualifications

A person qualifies to be nominated as a candidate for election as a President if that person;

i.      is a citizen by birth or descent;

ii.     has been ordinarily resident in Zambia;

iii.    is at least thirty-five years old;

iv.    is a registered voter;

v.     has obtained, as a minimum academic qualification, a grade twelve certificate or its equivalent;

vi.    is fluent in the official language;

vii.  has paid  taxes or has made arrangements, satisfactory to the appropriate tax authority, for the payment of the taxes;

viii. declares  assets and liabilities,

ix.    pays the prescribed election fee on, or before, the date fixed for the delivery of nomination papers; and

x.     is supported by at least one hundred registered voters from each Province.

A person is disqualified from being nominated as a candidate for election as President if that person;

i.      is a public officer;

ii.     has dual citizenship;

iii.    is holding or acting in a Constitutional office or other public office;

iv.    is a judge or judicial officer;

v.       was removed from public office on grounds of gross misconduct in the immediate preceding five years;

vi.      has a mental or physical disability that would make the person incapable of performing

the executive functions;

vii.     is an undischarged bankrupt;

viii.    is serving a sentence of imprisonment; or

ix.     has, in the immediate preceding five years, served a term of imprisonment of at least three  years.

Requirements

The aspiring candidate should have the following;

i.       Duly completed Affidavit Form;

ii.      Letter or certificate of adoption if sponsored by a political party;

iii.     Duly completed nomination form;

iv.     Aspiring candidate’s photograph measuring 32 x 25 mm on a prescribed background;

v.      Duly completed Declaration of Compliance to the Electoral Code of Conduct (Form ECCI).

(b)  Mayoral and Council Chairpersons Elections

Qualifications

A person qualifies to be nominated as a candidate for election as a Mayor/Council Chairperson if that person;

i.       is a citizen;

ii.      is at least twenty-one years old;

iii.     is a registered voter;

iv.     has obtained, as a minimum academic qualification, a grade twelve certificate or its equivalent;

v.      declares  assets and liabilities;

Requirements

i.      Duly completed Affidavit Form;

ii.      Letter or Certificate of Adoption if sponsored by a political party;

iii.      Duly completed Declaration of Compliance to the Electoral Code of Conduct (ECC1);

iv.      Pay a non-refundable nomination fee on, or before, the date fixed by the Commission;

v.      Duly completed Nomination Form;

vi.      Aspiring candidate’s photograph measuring 32 x 25 mm on a prescribed background;

vii.      Fifteen supporters who are registered voters within that particular Council.

(c) National Assembly

Qualifications

A person qualifies to be nominated as a candidate for election as a Member of Parliament if   that person;

i.   is a citizen;

ii.   is at least twenty one years old;

iii.   is a registered voter

iv.   has obtained, as a minimum academic qualification, a grade twelve certificate or its equivalent;

v.   declares that person’s assets and liabilities, as prescribed; and

vi.   fifteen supporters  who are registered voters within that particular constituency.

Requirements

i.   duly completed  affidavit form;

ii.   letter or certificate of adoption if sponsored by a political party;

iii.   duly completed declaration of compliance to the electoral code of conduct (ecc 1);

iv.   pay a non-refundable nomination fee on, or before, the date fixed by the commission v.   duly completed nomination form;

vi.   aspiring  candidate’s  photograph measuring 32mm x 25mm on a prescribed background.

(d) Councillor

Qualifications

A person qualifies to be nominated as a candidate for election as a Councillor if that person;

i.   is nineteen years of age;

ii.   has obtained, as a minimum academic qualification, a grade twelve certificate or its equivalent;

iii.   is a citizen or a holder of a resident permit, resident in the district; and

iv.   has a certificate of clearance showing the payment of council taxes, where applicable.

Requirements

i.     nine supporters who are registered voters within that particular ward;

ii.    duly completed Affidavit Form;

iii.  letter or certificate of adoption if sponsored by a political party;

iv.  duly completed Declaration of Compliance to the Electoral Code of Conduct

(Form ECC1);

v.   pay a non-refundable nomination fee on, or before, the date fixed and prescribed by the

Commission;

vi. aspiring candidate’s photograph measuring 32mm x 25mm on a prescribed background.