A. Situation analysis
Description of the disaster
On 20 January 2015, following the death of Zambia’s fifth republican President H.E Michael Chilufya Sata, Zambia held Presidential by-elections. Official election campaigns were launched on 12 November, 2015 a day after the burial of the late Republican President. In the run-up to the elections some political commentators predicted violence as reported levels of violence increased. The predictions were based on the various pockets of violence that took place in the country where some cadres were killed. Zambia has experienced some political violence during past elections. On 15 January 2015, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) released CHF 29,814 from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to ensure that Zambia Red Cross Society (ZRCS) was prepared to meet the immediate needs of populations affected by election related violence if and when it should occur, with activities planned for a period of two months.
Nonetheless, the by-elections were generally peaceful, with no reported incidences of violence; however tensions mounted when the results announcements began. The initial slow pace in announcing the results caused significant anxiety among the opposition supporters as they suspected the delay was deliberate in order to allow tampering of results, in favour of the ruling party. Moreover, results began to be announced, despite voting in polling stations in remote arrears still being cast. The voting, which was planned for one day, was extended by three days. In addition, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) encountered challenges delivering ballot papers to some polling stations due to heavy downpours of rain, which made roads inaccessible and led to discontent from the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND). The UPND sought an audience with the ECZ, a move that led to further delays in announcing election results. More than five million Zambians were eligible to vote during the elections. The total votes cast were 1,671,662 representing a voter turnout of 32.36 per cent.