Independence: 24 October 1964 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 24 October (1964)
Constitution: 2 August 1991
Legal system: based on English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in an ad hoc constitutional council; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Frederick CHILUBA
(since 31 October 1991); Vice President General Godfrey MIYANDA (since
NA August 1994; he replaced Levy MWANAWASA who was elected 31 October
1991 and resigned in NA August 1994) election last held 31 October
1991 (next to be held NA 1996); results - Frederick CHILUBA 84%,
Kenneth KAUNDA 16%
cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the president from members of the
National Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly: elections last held 31 October 1991 (next to be held NA 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (150 total) MMD 125, UNIP 25; note - the MMD's majority was weakened by the defection of 13 of its parliamentary members during 1993 and the defeat of its candidates in 4 of the resulting by-elections
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Movement for Multiparty Democracy
(MMD), Frederick CHILUBA; United National Independence Party (UNIP),
Kebby MUSOKATWANE; National Party (NP), Inonge MBIKUSITA-LEWANIKA;
Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, FLS, G-19, G-77, GATT, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT,
INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UNOMOZ, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO