The role of traditional establishment in the electoral process: a case study of the Mpezeni chiefdom.
The main purpose of this study was to investigate the role played by the traditional establishment in the electoral process in Mpezeni Chiefdom of Chipata district in Eastern Province. The study sought to fulfill the following objectives: To determine the extent to which the traditional establishment engage in politics in Mpezeni Chiefdom of Chipata District, to identify the role played by the traditional establishment in the electoral process in Mpezeni Chiefdom of Chipata District and to assess the effects of the involvement of the traditional establishment in the electoral process in Mpezeni Chiefdom. A case study as qualitative methodology was used to gather data for this research. Data was gathered using structured interviews and focus group interviews/discussion. This research study was guided by the Modernist theory. Research participants included: Chief Mpezeni, the four Indunas, the male, female and young Mpezeni Chiefdom subjects. The findings of the study were as follows: It was clear that the traditional establishment are involved in the electoral process despite the Constitution of Zambia prohibiting them from taking an active role. It is the conduct of the traditional establishment, however, that is cause for concern and raises constitutional questions. Their perceived alignment with the political activities has brought renewed criticism of their relevance in a modern-day society anchored on democratic values. The study also revealed that politicians play a major role to enhance the participation of the traditional establishment in prejudiced politics. It was also proven that it is in the right direction that the traditional establishment is not allowed to take part in parochial political process even though it appears as a transgression on their political rights. The class size was found to influence the teaching and learning process. It was also established that there was no proper supervision of teachers by both internal and external monitors. The study also revealed that the traditional establishment’s involvement in the electoral process has had an adverse effect on the people’s involvement in the electoral process in Chipata District. Furthermore, it was evidenced that politicians play a major roles to enhance the participation of the traditional establishment in the electoral process in Chipata District. It was also proven that it is in the right direction that the traditional establishment is not allowed to take part in parochial electoral process even though it appears as a transgression on their political rights. The study concluded that the traditional establishment’s role in the electoral process, legitimacy, control and influence in rural areas remain widespread demonstrating remarkable resilience, despite facing various threats. Successive governments in both colonial and independent Zambia have sought to maximize this strength for their respective narrow political interests. All these controversies, conflicts and complexities raise questions about the role and relevance of the institution of traditional leadership in Zambia specifically the Mpezeni Chiefdom of Chipata district in the Eastern province of Zambia. Arising from the findings and discussions that addressed all the objectives, this study made the following recommendations: workshops, conferences, public forums and symposiums should be organized periodically for the traditional establishment regarding the content and interpretation of the constitution. Members of the house of chiefs should be allowed to participate in such programs for a better appreciation of the course of democracy and good governance, Civic education on the constitutional provision that prohibits chiefs from taking an active part in partisan politics should be done more effectively especially among rural, semi-illiterate and illiterates dwellers, Chiefs’ role should be to act as a body of specialist knowledge that scrutinizes in greater details bills passed by the first chamber, Article 129 is currently outdated and needs to be re-drafted in order to accommodate the current developments, amongst others an inception of the current local authorities, Satisfactory institutional measures should be put in place to enforce the constitutional provision that debars chiefs from taking active parts in partisan politics. This may include but not limited to establishment of a special court that tries chiefs that engage in partisan politics, the second chamber should comprise chiefs and other traditional leaders. This will provide the opportunity for traditional leaders to air their views and to scrutinize government policies and programs. And finally, the National House of Chiefs should come out with a code of conduct which chiefs will have to abide by as far as partisan politics is concerned. The National House of Chiefs should also liaise with the Regional Houses of Chiefs to monitor the activities of chiefs in the regions so as to be kept informed of what chiefs are doing.
Chiefdoms--Zambia., Zambia--Politics and government.
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