Term limits in Zambia
Term limits in Zambia refer to the constitutional restrictions placed on how long an individual may serve in certain public offices, most notably the Office of the President. These limits are designed to promote democratic governance, prevent the over-concentration of power, and ensure periodic leadership renewal.
Presidential term limits
The Constitution of Zambia provides a strict term limit for the President.
- Term length: The President is elected for a term of five years.
- Term limit: A person may hold office for a maximum of two terms.
The two-term limit was first introduced in the 1991 Constitution, which reintroduced multi-party democracy after the one-party era.
Interpretation and constitutional developments
The interpretation of what constitutes a “term” has been the subject of debate and several rulings by the Constitutional Court.
The 2016 Constitutional Amendment (Article 106(6)) clarified that a period of less than three years served by a Vice President who assumes office after the death, resignation, or removal of a sitting President shall not count as a full term.
However, the Court has held that any person who has been elected to the Office of President twice is ineligible to contest again, even if one of the elections followed an unexpired term.
In 2024, the Constitutional Court ruled that former President Edgar Lungu, having been elected in the 2015 presidential by-election and again in the 2016 general election, had served the maximum two terms allowed under the Constitution.
Parliamentary term limits
For Members of Parliament (MPs), the Constitution provides that:
- Term length: Five years, concurrent with the presidential term.
- Term limit: There is no restriction on the number of times an individual may be re-elected to Parliament.
This means a Member of Parliament may serve an unlimited number of terms, provided they continue to win elections in their respective constituencies.
Purpose and significance
Term limits are regarded as a safeguard against authoritarianism and are central to Zambia’s democratic framework. They ensure the peaceful transfer of power and encourage political competition and leadership accountability.
