Voting commenced on Thursday morning in Zambia’s presidential election, with approximately 8.7 million registered voters eligible to participate. The electoral process will determine whether President Hakainde Hichilema, seeking a second consecutive term, has successfully addressed economic challenges that dominate voter concerns.
Economic conditions remain a central issue in the race. While the government has achieved some measurable improvements—inflation declined to 6.8 percent in April and the kwacha currency has strengthened—many Zambians continue to experience financial hardship. According to World Bank data, more than 70 percent of the nation’s 22 million inhabitants live on less than $3 daily, and unemployment stands at approximately 10 percent. Food and energy costs remain elevated for much of the population.
Hichilema, a 64-year-old businessman who won the 2021 election on his sixth attempt, has positioned his reelection campaign around job creation and infrastructure development initiatives. His primary opponent is Brian Mundubile, a 55-year-old former minister from the previous governing party who entered the race in May. Mundubile leads an alliance of opposition parties under the newly established NRPUP party, which draws substantially from the Patriotic Front that governed from 2011 to 2021. The field includes 13 additional candidates.
Mundubile has alleged that restrictions were imposed on opposition campaign activities and questioned the fairness of the election process. He has advocated for national reconciliation, characterizing Zambia as deeply divided. Voting patterns have historically followed geographic lines, with Hichilema’s party dominant in southern and western regions while the former governing party retains support in northern areas and the Copperbelt.
Thursday’s voting will also determine candidates for 226 parliamentary seats, an increase from the previous total of 156. Presidential results are anticipated by August 17, with a candidate requiring more than 50 percent of votes to avoid a runoff. The election will test concerns raised by observers regarding restrictions on political dissent in a country previously regarded as one of Africa’s more stable democracies.
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