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Kennedy Sialoombe, 2019, The Role of Political Parties in the Prevention of
Electoral Conflict and Violence in Zambia.
Copperbelt University, Dag Hammarskjöld Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies
(DHIPS), School of Graduate Studies.
Abstract
The study examines the role of political parties in the promotion and prevention of electoral
conflict and violence in Zambia. The main objective was to examine the extent to which political
parties commit themselves to non-violent strategies within their structures and when dealing with
their competitors in Zambia. The specific objectives were to; assess the effectiveness of conflict
resolution mechanisms of political parties in the prevention of electoral violence; find out the
extent to which Political Parties adhere to the Electoral Code of Conduct; and find out the extent
to which political parties interact with other stakeholders in the electoral process in their quest to
prevent electoral violence in Zambia. The study was based on the institution theory. The study
employed a qualitative case study research design and purposeful sampling technique. Primary
data was collected using semi-structured interviews, unstructured interviews and photo elicitation.
Secondary data was collected through document review of political party manifestos, the electoral
code of conduct, local and international election reports and print/electronic media reports.
Thematic analysis was employed to analyse primary data, while content analysis was used to
analyse secondary data. Thematic and content analysis were based on four broad analytical
categories derived from research objectives; political parties’ perceptions of the causes of violence;
self-regulating measures; adherence to the electoral code of conduct and political parties’
interaction with other institutions. Firstly, the findings revealed the following themes as the causes
of electoral violence: lack of trust in ECZ and ZP; institutional weakness of political parties, ECZ
and ZP; lack of clear political ideology and programmes; patrimonialism and clientelism.
Secondly, the study revealed that political party structures and operations exhibit a political culture
tolerant of violence. This is caused by ineffective conflict resolution mechanisms and lack of a
written political party code of conduct and consequences for engaging in electoral violence.
Thirdly, political parties rarely adhere to the electoral code of conduct because of the ineffective
implementation of the Electoral Code of Conduct by the ECZ and ZP. Fourthly, although political
parties interact with other stakeholders in the electoral process in the quest to prevent electoral
violence, these efforts are affected by bias media reports; lack of trust in ECZ and ZP; and lack of

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trust in Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue (ZCID). It has been recommended that the ECZ
and ZP should execute their mandate independently and impartially. The political parties should
come up with a written party code of conduct and cultivate the culture of electoral education in
their supporters.