An examination of factors influencing voters'choice of candidates during tripartite elections in Mandevu and Munali consstituencies from 2001 to 2011

Abstract

The quest for leaders in many societies tends to give rise to moments when citizens are accorded an opportunity to elect leaders of their own choice. In making their choice of leaders, citizens may be influenced by a variety of factors. In the context of Zambia, the same can be said about voters in Mandevu and Munali constituencies. Therefore, this study sought to unearth the factors that influenced voters’ choice of candidates during tripartite elections in Mandevu and Munali constituencies from the year 2001 to the year 2011, based on the responses of selected respondents. Uncertainty and speculation on what factors influenced voters’ choices during tripartite elections in Mandevu and Munali constituencies necessitated this research whose results could be relevant and beneficial to political parties, electoral candidates, Civic organisations and the world of academics, among others. The objectives of the study were to establish the main socio-economic factors, ascertain the main political factors, determine the environmental factors and investigate possible undemocratic factors influencing voters’ choice of candidates during tripartite elections in the two constituencies. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative approaches in the context of a cross-sectional study design. In terms of data collection, the study used purposive sampling technique to select 135 quantitative respondents and 10 qualitative respondents from each constituency. Data collection instruments included questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Results were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Respondents suggested examples of the most influential socio-economic factors, political factors, environmental factors and undemocratic factors in terms of voters’ choice of candidates during tripartite elections in both constituencies. For instance, the most influential factors among undemocratic and socio-economic factors were candidates’ gifts to voters, and salaries and wages of workers respectively. The study concluded that elections in both constituencies would hardly pass without the involvement of bribery among both the candidates and voters. Potential candidates would also do well to hinge their campaign messages on the welfare of public and private workers. The study recommended proactive and continuous voter education in order to promote good practices and discourage bad practices on the part of both the candidates and voters