Elections & Democracy
Zambia election: Hichilema wins, rival vows challenge
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema won a second term with about 60 percent of the vote, the electoral commission said, after an election his main challenger vowed to contest.
Brian Mundubile, leader of the main opposition NRPUP party and a former government minister, won about 38 percent. He said he would put evidence before legal institutions and pursue “every lawful avenue” within the allowed period.
Official results are due to be published by August 24. Hichilema, 64, is due to be sworn in within seven days of publication, but a legal challenge could delay the process.
Thursday's vote was largely peaceful, but the opposition said intimidation and restrictions marred its campaign. International observers, including the European Union, said opposition claims of intimidation, including by security forces, and state-owned media coverage biased toward the ruling party had contributed to an uneven playing field.
The electoral commission suspended vote counting for about six hours on Friday after reports of violence against polling staff and the alleged theft of ballot papers.
Police were still holding several figures from the main opposition alliance after arrests last week over rejected allegations of involvement in militia or insurgent activity. The NRPUP earlier told AFP that Mundubile, 55, was in a secure location under the protection of an international human rights body because of threats against him.
Mundubile said a parliamentarian was struck when shots were fired during a raid on the opposition leader's home. The MP's condition was unknown.
A cabinet statement alleged on Sunday that some of those arrested were connected to military plans involving foreign nationals and illegal military training camps. Hichilema said Tuesday that Zambia should not allow “bands of armed militias”.
In his first address after being declared the winner, Hichilema called the result a “serious show of confidence” and said the “competition was tough”. He told opponents' supporters that his government would keep working for them.
UPND supporters celebrated in Lusaka after the result was announced.
Hichilema first took office in 2021. His government has pointed to debt restructuring, restored ties with international lenders and lower inflation, while critics say economic gains have not reached many Zambians. More than 70 percent of the population lives on less than $3 a day, according to World Bank data.
Zambia, Africa's second-largest copper producer, has a long record of peaceful transfers of power through elections since the return to multiparty politics in 1991.
Update
Brian Mundubile said he would place evidence before legal institutions and pursue lawful avenues to contest the result.
The planned challenge could delay Hakainde Hichilema's swearing-in, which is otherwise due within seven days of official results publication.
Mundubile said a parliamentarian was struck when shots were fired during a raid on the opposition leader's home; the MP's condition was unknown.
A cabinet statement alleged some arrested opposition figures were linked to military plans involving foreign nationals and illegal military training camps.
Source note: AFP news report published on 18 August 2026 at 15:54:08 UTC.
Update
Official results are due to be published by August 24, and Hichilema is due to be sworn in seven days after publication if the result is not challenged.
The NRPUP told AFP that Brian Mundubile is in a secure location under the protection of an international human rights body because of threats against him.
Hichilema supporters celebrated in Lusaka after the result was announced.
International observers also criticised state-owned media coverage as heavily biased toward the ruling party.
Source note: AFP news report published on 18 August 2026 at 10:43:55 UTC.
Update
Electoral Commission chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis said five of 226 constituencies had not been tallied but would not materially affect the overall result.
Hakainde Hichilema issued a victory statement saying he was humbled by voters' trust and would work for citizens who backed opponents.
Brian Mundubile alleged counting irregularities and possible tampering, without providing evidence.
The government said police arrested 11 people, including six opposition figures, in a raid over alleged militia activity.
NRPUP said the raid took place at Mundubile's home, shots were fired and a parliamentarian was hit.
Oxford Economics Africa said events around the vote raised serious questions about the integrity of the results.
Source note: AFP news report published on 18 August 2026 at 01:33:26 UTC.
Update
Brian Mundubile secured nearly 38 percent of the vote, according to the Electoral Commission of Zambia chairperson.
Five of Zambia's 226 constituencies had not been tallied, but the electoral commission said they were not likely to materially affect the overall result.
Authorities arrested nearly a dozen people, including senior opposition figures, during a raid after the vote that involved an exchange of gunfire.
The government said those arrested were linked to militia or insurgent activity around the election; Mundubile's NRPUP party denied the allegations.
Source note: AFP news report published on 18 August 2026 at 01:01:36 UTC.
Update
The Electoral Commission of Zambia announced that Hakainde Hichilema won re-election.
Hichilema received 60 percent of votes cast.
The final result followed a race with 13 challengers.
Source note: AFP news report published on 18 August 2026 at 00:44:40 UTC.
Update
Hakainde Hichilema's vote share was nearly 61 percent after results from 192 of 226 constituencies were released late Monday.
Brian Mundubile was on nearly 37 percent with 34 constituencies left to tally.
Final results were expected later Monday.
Oxford Economics Africa said events around the vote had raised serious questions about the integrity of the results and warned Zambia was very tense.
Source note: AFP news report published on 17 August 2026 at 19:09:51 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The outcome and timing of any legal challenge were not yet clear.
The condition of the parliamentarian allegedly struck during the raid was unknown.
The allegations against arrested opposition figures are disputed.
Source
AFP news report published on .