Political party funding law
TI-Z continues to advocate for clear political party funding rules that make party financing more transparent and accountable.
Elections
Elections and money
Elections and Money: Perspectives from Members of Parliament in Zambia
This page presents TI-Z's November 2024 cost of politics study on what elected Members of Parliament spent to win the 2021 parliamentary elections in Zambia.
The report tracks costs across the pre-adoption, adoption and nomination, campaign, and post-election stages. It also highlights the pressure that private money, voter demands, and weak campaign-finance rules can place on fair political participation.
The study interviewed 80 elected Members of Parliament out of Zambia's 156 elected MPs, giving the report a broad view of how campaign costs are experienced after candidates have successfully entered Parliament.
By separating election spending into stages, the report shows that the cost of politics does not begin only when official campaigns start. Candidates often spend heavily while nurturing constituencies, seeking party adoption, meeting nomination requirements, campaigning, and responding to community expectations after election day.
These costs matter because high financial barriers can limit who is able to compete for public office. Women, young people, persons with disabilities, independent candidates, and candidates without strong private resources may face additional pressure when elections depend heavily on personal financing.
The findings strengthen TI-Z's call for transparent disclosure, enforceable campaign-finance rules, fair political party financing, and voter education that reduces demand-driven spending during elections.
TI-Z is still advocating for political party and election funding laws. TI-Z is also carrying out a follow-up study of 2026 candidates; the next report will be released in October 2026.
80
Elected MPs interviewed
K3.85m
Average cost to win
K307.92m
Estimated spend by sampled MPs
97.5%
MPs supporting campaign-finance regulation
Why the cost of politics matters
The study estimated the average cost of winning the 2021 election as a Member of Parliament at K3.85 million. For the 80 sampled elected MPs, the estimated total expenditure was K307.92 million.
Pre-adoption spending made up the largest share of average costs, showing that electoral spending starts long before formal nomination and campaign periods.
Costs start early
Pre-adoption spending represented 55.25% of average expenditure.
Some drivers are illicit
The report marks several cost drivers with asterisks as illicit or illegal.
Reform support is high
97.5% of sampled MPs supported regulation and reform on campaign financing.
2026 candidates follow-up study
Follow-up study underway
TI-Z is carrying out a follow-up study focused on 2026 candidates.
Next report
The next Cost of Politics report is expected in October 2026.
Advocacy continues
TI-Z is pushing for political party and election funding laws.
Campaign-finance reform focus
Election funding regulation
Election and campaign funding laws can help disclose sources of money, reduce undue influence, and support fair competition.
Voter and citizen education
Reducing demand-driven electoral costs requires citizens to understand how financial pressure on candidates can distort representation.
Inclusive candidate support
Reforms should help viable candidates who face financial barriers, including women, young people, and persons with disabilities.
Report graphs
Download full PDF
Figures from the Elections and Money report
Sample by Gender
Male MPs made up 86.25% of the study sample and female MPs made up 13.75%.
Monthly Income
Most sampled elected MPs reported monthly income below K200,001.
Occupation Before Politics
Business and high-level professional backgrounds were the most common pre-politics occupations.
Sample by Political Party
The sample was largely split between UPND and PF elected MPs, with independent and PNUP representation.
Pre-Adoption Cost Drivers
Transport, community projects, party structures, constituency structures, fuel, sports, and food drove pre-adoption costs.
Cost drivers marked * are illicit or illegal.
Adoption and Nomination Cost Drivers
Presidential campaign contributions and political party campaign contributions led adoption-stage costs.
Cost drivers marked * are illicit or illegal.
Campaign Cost Drivers
Campaign materials and transport were the two largest campaign-period cost drivers.
Cost drivers marked * are illicit or illegal.
Post-Election Cost Drivers
Transport, community projects, sports activities, cash handouts, and church support were major post-election costs.
Cost drivers marked * are illicit or illegal.
Average Cost Share by Stage
Pre-adoption accounted for 55.25% of average costs, followed by post-election costs at 22%.