Zambia Holds General Election to Decide Hichilema's Economic Future

Zambia holds general elections on August 13, with 14 candidates competing for the presidency and up to 8.7 million voters electing an expanded parliament. The contest serves as a referendum on the economic record of Hakainde Hichilema, leader of the United Party for National Development, who is seeking a second term based on his debt restructuring efforts and free education initiatives.

Hichilema faces a consolidated opposition led by Brian Mundubile of the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity, representing the Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance. While Hichilema has received international praise for restoring growth, voters remain focused on high food prices, unemployment, and power outages caused by drought. Mundubile has positioned himself as a champion for the youth and pledged to resolve a bitter dispute between Hichilema and the family of the late former President Edgar Lungu regarding Lungu's burial.

The election is the first conducted under 2025 constitutional reforms that introduced a mixed-member parliamentary system to increase representation for women, youth, and persons with disabilities. However, the process has been marred by reports of violence and intimidation. Mundubile alleged that snipers were deployed at a campaign event in Mongu, while civil society groups have questioned the independence of the electoral commission. Results are expected by August 17, with a candidate requiring more than 50 percent of the vote to avoid a run-off.