Zambia’s incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema secured a second term in office following a closely contested election against opposition leader Brian Mundubile, who garnered significant support amid public discontent over persistent challenges despite economic improvements. The official results, announced by the election commission early Tuesday, revealed Hichilema clinched approximately 60% of the valid votes while Mundubile received around 38%.
Commission chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis declared Hichilema as the president-elect of Zambia on August 18, 2026. This victory marked Hichilema’s seventh attempt at the presidency, leveraging his incumbency advantage, while it was Mundubile’s inaugural bid for the top political position in the country.
During his campaign, the 64-year-old Hichilema emphasized his economic achievements since assuming office during the pandemic-induced debt crisis in 2021. Zambia, known for its copper resources, has been a focal point in the global competition between major players like China and the United States eyeing its valuable minerals.
Following a relatively calm pre-election period, tensions escalated swiftly around the August 13 polling day. International observers, including the European Union, acknowledged the peaceful conduct of the election but raised concerns about limitations on fundamental freedoms during the broader electoral process.
Post-election, authorities apprehended 11 individuals, including prominent opposition figures, in a raid marred by gunfire incidents in Mundubile’s presence. Subsequently, the electoral commission halted vote counting temporarily due to reported violence against polling staff and the theft of ballot papers. Mundubile alleged potential tampering with results forms from polling stations, calling for an independent investigation, a claim disputed by Hichilema’s camp.
The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops expressed unease over the army’s involvement in the vote counting process, stressing that maintaining order during elections falls under the jurisdiction of the Zambia Police Service as per the constitution and statutes. Despite the opposition’s anticipated rejection of the election outcome and potential legal challenges, analysts suggest that widespread unrest is not foreseen, with localized political tensions remaining a possibility in the days ahead.