Government of Zambia
Long Conventional Name
Republic of Zambia
Short Conventional Name
Zambia
Long Local Name
Zambia
Short Local Name
Zambia
Government Type
Republic
Capital City
Lusaka
Administrative Divisions
9 provinces; Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Northern, North-Western, Southern, Western.
Independence Day
Saturday, 24th October 1964
Constitutional History
24 August 1991; amended in 1996 to establish presidential term limits.
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
President Levy MWANAWASA (since 2 January 2002); Vice President Rupiah BANDA (since 9 October 2006)
Head of Government
President Levy MWANAWASA (since 2 January 2002); Vice President Rupiah BANDA (since 9 October 2006)
Cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly.
Elections
President elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 28 September 2006 (next to be held 2011); vice president appointed by the president.
Legislative Branch
Unicameral National Assembly (158 seats; 150 members are elected by popular vote, eight members are appointed by the president, to serve five-year terms).
Judical Branch
Supreme Court (the final court of appeal; justices are appointed by the president); High Court (has unlimited jurisdiction to hear civil and criminal cases).
Flag Description
Green with a panel of three vertical bands of red (hoist side), black, and orange below a soaring orange eagle, on the outer edge of the flag.
