Proposed Strategies for Improving the Performance of Conflict Management Committees (CMCs) in the Management of Electoral Conflicts in Zambia

The purpose of this study was to proposed strategies of improving the performance of CMCs in the
management of electoral conflicts in Zambia. This study employed a qualitative descriptive research
design. A purposive sampling technique was used which targeted twelve key electoral stakeholders.
Data was collected using interviews and observations. Data was analysed using inductive thematic
analysis because emerging themes were strongly linked to data. The main findings were that there was
need to introduce electoral fast track courts, increasing educational awareness activities on electoral
conflict, increasing access to CMCs and importantly, strengthen the legal mandate. Based on the
findings, the study recommends to ECZ to attach a legal framework to the mandate of the CMCs and
to make wider consultations on the best way to resolve electoral conflicts. There is need in future to
assess the measures individual political parties have put in place to address electoral violence.