The Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) is a political party in Zambia. Originally formed in response to general discontent due to economic mismanagement and poor governance by the previous UNIP government led by Dr Kenneth David Kaunda. MMD controlled an absolute majority in parliament between 1991 and 2001, when its past leader, Frederick Chiluba, was president of the country. Its election into power in 1991 ended the 27-year rule of the United National Independence Party.

In 1990, growing opposition to UNIP’s monopoly on power, due in part to food shortages and a general economic decline, led to the rise of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD). Begun as a coalition party with the specific goal of ousting UNIP, MMD gradually assembled an increasingly impressive group of important Zambians from all walks of life, including prominent UNIP defectors and labour leaders.

During that same year, pushed by internal and international pressure, President Kaunda agreed to a referendum on the one-party state but, in the face of continued opposition, dropped the referendum and signed a constitutional amendment making Zambia a multi-party state.

Zambia’s first multi-party elections for parliament and the presidency since the 1960s were held on October 31, 1991. MMD candidate Frederick Chiluba resoundingly carried the presidential election over Kenneth Kaunda with 81% of the vote. To add to the MMD landslide, in the parliamentary elections the MMD won 125 of the 150 elected seats and UNIP the remaining 25.

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