Zambia election tests Hichilema’s economic record

Zambians voted on Thursday in an election testing President Hakainde Hichilema’s economic record as he seeks a second term in the copper-rich country.

Voters queued from early morning in a contest shaped by living costs, jobs and opposition accusations that political space has narrowed. About 8.7 million people are registered to vote, with polling stations due to begin closing at 6:00 pm local time. Results of the presidential vote are expected by August 17.

Hichilema, 64, said after casting his ballot that his government had done “the heavy lifting,” including debt restructuring and restoring the mining sector, and now wanted stronger growth to support society. He said reforms had delivered results despite drought and Zambia’s debt burden, but added that “there is a lot more to be done.”

His main challenger in a field of 13 other candidates is Brian Mundubile, a 55-year-old former minister in the previous Patriotic Front government. Mundubile, backed by an alliance of opposition parties, is running under the newly formed NRPUP, which draws much of its support from the Patriotic Front.

After voting, Mundubile said he expected to win and described the vote as “the start of a new beginning for Zambia.” In an AFP interview on Wednesday, he alleged that the government had restricted his party’s campaign.

Hichilema’s government also faces criticism over rights and dissent. Amnesty said before the vote that authorities had “intensified their crackdown” on peaceful assembly, association, expression and media freedom. The opposition has claimed harassment and restrictions on campaigning.

The government announced on Wednesday that several people, including three former senior government officials, had been arrested over an alleged plot to interfere with the electoral system.

The economy is central to the vote. Zambia, Africa’s second-largest copper producer, defaulted on its sovereign debt in 2020. Since then, the government has secured a debt restructuring, completed an IMF-supported programme and set a 2031 target to triple copper production.

Inflation fell to 6.8 percent in April and the kwacha has strengthened, but many people still face high food and energy costs. Unemployment is around 10 percent. More than 70 percent of Zambia’s 22 million people live on less than three dollars a day, according to World Bank data.

Voters gave mixed views. Development worker Mwiche Nalupumbwe, 26, said Zambians were frustrated and called the election “50-50.” First-time voter Wiza Lungu, 21, said she wanted more jobs and more money in circulation because the high cost of living was making life hard. Businessman Akapelwa Akapelwa, 62, said the economy had been stabilised and a strong foundation had been set.

Voters are also electing 226 seats in parliament, which is being expanded from 156. The presidential winner needs more than 50 percent to avoid a runoff.