In its original formulation in 1995, the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) was an empowerment programme aimed at creating an enabling environment for holistic development at Constituency level.[1] The Members of Parliament (MPs) were the custodian of the Fund, and in collaboration with the Community, the MPs made choices and implemented projects in order to improve the wellbeing of the people in the respective constituencies.[1] The first appropriation and CDF disbursement was in 1995, and from 1995 to 2016, Section 45 of the Local Government Act Cap 281 of the Laws of Zambia[2] was the only legislation providing for the existence of the Fund. For the first three years following the establishment of the CDF, the funds were largely at the discretion of Members of Parliament.[3] Therefore, as government developed legislation and guidelines for the management of the Fund, the MPs lost some of their power and influence. Following the development of the 1998 initial guidelines and successive revisions in 2003 and 2006, new players emerged in the management of the Fund. These include the CDF Committee (CDFC) tasked with overseeing the utilization of the Fund and the Council or Local
Authority responsible for administering the Fund.[3] In its administrative role, the Council was responsible for advertising and inviting proposals for CDF projects as well as providing technical support in the evaluation of projects. Although the authority to approve projects remained with the CDFC, the Council welded significant power due to it technical and administrative capacity.
In 2016, Zambia amended its Constitution and it was at this point that the CDF was formally
established.[1] Article 162 (2) of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016[4] further provided for development of substantive legislation to prescribe the appropriation of monies to the
CDF, and the management, disbursement, utilization and accountability of the Fund. Consequently, the Zambian government enacted the Constituency Development Fund Act No. 11 of 2018[5] in order to actualize this Constitutional provision. According to Section 6 of the Constituency Development Fund Act No. 11 of 2018[5], the CDF Committee is responsible for ensuring the compilation of proper records, returns and reports from the constituency, receiving and discussing annual reports and returns and receiving project proposals.
