In accordance with the official election timetable issued by the Electoral Commission of Zambia on 3 August 2011, the official campaigns for the General Elections commenced on 29 July 2011 and concluded at 06.00 on 18 September 2011. The introduction of a two-day “cooling off” period, prior to the Election Day on 20 September 2011, was a new innovation. The programme for the campaign rallies of Presidential candidates was coordinated by the Electoral Commission of Zambia, in consultation with the parties and police.