Zambia’s Electoral Commission has declared President Hakainde Hichilema the winner of the country’s presidential election, securing a second five-year term with about 60% of the vote. His closest challenger, Brian Mundubile, received approximately 38%.
Hichilema, who contested under the United Party for National Development (UPND), will now serve another five-year term after first taking office in 2021.
The election, however, was marked by tensions and disruptions. Vote counting was temporarily suspended after attacks on polling staff and the theft of ballot papers were reported at some polling stations. Authorities also arrested opposition officials during a security operation on election night.
Opposition figures and civil society groups have accused the Hichilema administration and the UPND of restricting political space and using state institutions against opponents. Mundubile had also questioned the credibility of the election and raised concerns about possible interference with the results.
Mundubile had earlier claimed that he had won the election, although he did not present evidence to support the claim. His campaign has continued to challenge aspects of the electoral process.
Hichilema’s re-election also comes as Zambia seeks to build on economic reforms implemented during his first term, including efforts to restructure the country’s debt and attract investment into the mining sector. The president has pledged to expand economic growth and increase copper production during his second term.
Since Zambia returned to multiparty politics in 1991, the country has generally experienced peaceful transfers of power through elections, making democratic stability an important part of its political history.
