Investigating the effects of Unfufilled Political Promises on Voting Behaviour: A Case of Chawama Constituency

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of unfulfilled political promises on voting behavior in Chawama Constituency, Lusaka, focusing on how unmet commitments influence voter trust, participation, and political decision-making. The research was motivated by increasing public concern that recurring cycles of broken promises undermine democratic legitimacy and weaken confidence in leaders. Guided by Rational Choice Theory and Political Trust Theory, the study examined the extent to which political leaders in Chawama have failed to deliver on their commitments, how these failures shaped voter behavior, and what strategies could strengthen accountability. A qualitative research design was adopted, targeting 1,000 registered voters from the 2021 Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) register, from which 100 respondents were purposively selected to ensure diversity in age, gender, education, and socio-economic background. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and open-ended questionnaires, and thematic analysis was applied to identify key patterns, supported by simple descriptive statistics for demographic characteristics. Findings showed that unfulfilled promises eroded political trust and contributed to apathy, though many respondents chose protest voting or shifted allegiance to opposition parties instead of disengaging completely. Economic-related pledges, particularly on job creation, cost of living, and service delivery, were found to be the most influential in shaping electoral choices, with unmet commitments in these areas generating the highest levels of frustration. Youth were especially critical of unkept promises, often expressing their dissatisfaction through disengagement or opposition support. The study concludes that repeated cycles of broken commitments not only damage trust in individual leaders but also threaten the legitimacy of Zambia’s democratic process by discouraging civic participation. It recommends that political parties develop realistic and implementable manifestos, improve communication with communities, and adopt transparent mechanisms for reporting progress on pledges. Civil society and electoral bodies are also urged to monitor and publicize promise delivery to enhance accountability. By situating Chawama voters’ experiences within wider debates on political trust and electoral accountability, this study underscores the urgent need for credible, issue-based campaigns and calls for further research into the role of social media in shaping perceptions of political promises.