TIZ Report reveal high Electoral Spending

... Financial Barriers and Illicit Spending Undermine Zambia's Electoral Integrity

By Francis Maingaila ♥️ 

Lusaka, Zambia  - (11-12-2024) - Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) has launched a report revealing the significant financial barriers that threaten the country's electoral process, including high campaign costs and widespread illicit spending. 

The study found that the average cost of winning a parliamentary seat in the 2021 general elections was K3.8 million (USD 192,266), exacerbating financial inequalities and raising concerns about the integrity and fairness of Zambia's electoral system. 

 The study found that winning a parliamentary seat in the 2021 general elections cost an average of K3.8 million (USD 192,266), highlighting the growing financial inequalities within Zambia’s electoral system.

According to Bright Chizonde, an advocacy and research manager at TI-Z, “The bulk of the campaign expenditure occurred during the pre-adoption phase, with candidates spending an average of K21 million (USD 106,235).” 

This period, which involves gaining party support before official candidate adoption, saw significant spending on transportation, community projects, fuel, food, and illicit payments. 

Chizonde noted that over 55% of total campaign expenditure was attributed to this stage, stressing, “The pre-adoption phase remains the most financially demanding stage of the campaign.”

The report also indicated that the adoption and nomination stage, although a smaller portion of the overall cost, involved substantial contributions to presidential and political party campaigns. 

The report highlighted concerns over illicit spending, with Chizonde explaining, “Illicit spending at the adoption stage, such as bribing party officials and making informal financial contributions, has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the process.”

Post-election costs were also significant, with elected Members of Parliament (MPs) spending an estimated K840,858 (USD 42,001) over 18 months on community visits, local projects, and political party contributions. 

“A significant portion of these expenditures was linked to transport, community support, and financial handouts, with many of these activities associated with illegal practices,” Chizonde added.

The gender disparity in campaign spending was another notable finding in the report. Male candidates, on average, spent more than female candidates. 

“Male MPs spent over K4 million, while their female counterparts spent an average of K2.8 million,” Chizonde stated. 

“This disparity highlights the financial barriers faced by women in politics, who often have limited access to the same financial resources.”

The report also revealed that illicit spending accounted for a significant portion of campaign costs, with over 45% of the top ten cost drivers across all stages involving illegal practices, such as vote buying and bribery of party officials. 

“This raises critical concerns about the fairness and transparency of the electoral process,” Chizonde remarked.

In total, the 80 MPs who won seats in the 2021 elections collectively spent approximately K430.8 million (USD 15.4 million) during their campaigns. 

TI-Z has called for greater transparency in Zambia's electoral process, urging the government to implement reforms to address the financial barriers that disproportionately affect candidates, particularly women. 

“We need to introduce reforms to reduce the influence of money in our elections and create a more level playing field for all candidates,” Chizonde concluded.

Raymond Mutale, TI-Z’s Executive Director, he echoed the call for electoral reforms, saying, “It is critical that Zambia’s electoral system is restructured to ensure that financial status does not become a barrier to democratic participation. 

The high costs of campaigning risk excluding individuals from lower-income backgrounds, leading to a skewed representation in parliament.” 

Mutale emphasized the importance of addressing the systemic issues that contribute to the escalating costs of elections, adding, “Political parties and candidates must be held accountable for their campaign expenditures. Without reforms, we risk perpetuating a cycle of financial exclusion and political corruption.”

Mutale further expressed concern about the significant role of illicit spending in the electoral process. 

“The report highlights that over 45% of the top campaign cost drivers involve illicit activities, including bribes and vote buying.

This not only undermines the integrity of the election process but also discourages citizens from participating in a fair democratic system,” he said. 

Mutale called for more stringent regulations and oversight by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), urging the body to monitor and control campaign finances more effectively.

The report also stresses the need for voter education, with Mutale explaining, “Voters must understand the implications of financial demands placed on candidates, and the dangers of accepting bribes. 

Campaign finance reforms should be coupled with education to ensure voters hold their leaders accountable.”

In addition to TI-Z's findings, Clementina Mwewa, Acting Chief Electoral Officer at the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), provided further insights into the financial dynamics of election campaigns and post-election expenditures. 

Mwewa outlined the complexities of election-related spending, noting that the financial burden continues even after the elections are over.

“The campaign period spans about three months, but MPs continue to spend money in their communities during the post-election phase, which can last up to 18 months,” Mwewa explained. 

The ECZ’s research focused on the first 18 months following the 2021 general elections, analyzing expenditure during the pre-election, adoption and nomination stages, and the post-election period.

The ECZ’s research highlighted several key cost drivers in the pre-election phase, including transport, community projects, support to political party structures, and community-based activities such as sports tournaments and church donations. 

Mwewa also raised concerns about expenditures on non-essential activities, such as alcohol, with some MPs considering it necessary to build rapport with voters. “Do you really need to spend money on alcohol to run for election?” 

Mwewa asked, pointing to the ethical questions surrounding the use of public funds in electioneering.

The study also underscored the gender disparity in political representation, with male MPs overwhelmingly dominating the sample. 

Despite efforts to increase female representation, only 13.75% of MPs in the sample were women, reflecting the broader gender imbalance in Zambia’s parliament.

“The cost becomes a constraint, attracting mainly those who have access to money, such as businesspeople and high-level professionals,” Mwewa noted, adding that the financial barriers may prevent ordinary Zambians from running for office.

Mwewa also highlighted concerns about the adoption and nomination stage, which was found to be the most vulnerable to corruption. 

The average expenditure during this stage was estimated at 172,910.4 kwacha, but Mwewa cautioned that this figure likely underrepresents the actual costs, with much of the spending occurring off-the-record.

 “The majority of spending during this stage is unaccounted for, which poses a significant challenge for transparency in the electoral process,” she explained.

As the ECZ continues to monitor electoral finances, Mwewa called for greater efforts to curb illicit spending and ensure elections remain fair and accessible to all Zambians. 

“We need to create a more level playing field for future elections,” she concluded.