2026 Zambian general election

The 2026 presidential election was the first contest for Hakainde Hichilema since he defeated incumbent president Edgar Lungu in 2021. Hichilema's victory brought the UPND to power after the Patriotic Front's ten-year period in government.^[9] The 2021 election was widely seen as a referendum on Lungu's administration, which had faced criticism over economic difficulties, unemployment, public debt and allegations concerning governance and human rights.^[10]

During Hichilema's first term, the government's economic record became the central issue likely to determine the presidential election.^[11] Hichilema's administration inherited a country that had defaulted on its sovereign debt in 2020 and subsequently pursued a major debt-restructuring programme.^[12] The government also sought to restore relations with international lenders, attract foreign investment and expand production in the copper sector.^[13]

The government presented the debt restructuring and improving macroeconomic conditions as evidence of an economic recovery.^[14] However, the recovery did not benefit all households equally. The cost of living, unemployment, poverty and electricity shortages^[15] remained important concerns, particularly among young people and lower-income voters.^[14] The election was consequently expected to serve as a test of whether improvements in economic indicators had translated into better living conditions for the wider population.^[16]

Hichilema's position as the UPND's presidential candidate was confirmed at the party's convention in April 2026, where he was nominated without opposition. He campaigned for a second term on the record of his administration and on a programme of continued economic recovery and investment.^[17]

The opposition attempted to consolidate behind the Tonse Alliance, which had been established in November 2024 with the objective of defeating the UPND in the presidential election. In January 2026, the alliance selected Brian Mundubile, a former member of parliament and former ally of Lungu, as its presidential candidate. Mundubile was initially expected to contest under the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) ticket, but he later filed his nomination under the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP).^[18][19]

The death of Edgar Lungu in 2025 further reshaped the presidential contest.^[11] Although Lungu was not a candidate, his political legacy continued to influence the opposition campaign. His supporters became an important part of the coalition backing Mundubile, while the rivalry between Lungu and Hichilema continued to shape political debate.^[20]

A dispute between Lungu's family and the Zambian government over the former president's burial intensified the political confrontation.^[21][22] The disagreement was used by opposition figures to accuse the government of disrespecting Lungu and his family, while the government maintained its position regarding the burial arrangements. The dispute became a prominent issue during the campaign and helped turn the election into a contest not only over Hichilema's record, but also over Lungu's political legacy.^[23]

Although 14 candidates were initially nominated,^[24] the presidential race was principally viewed as a contest between Hichilema and Mundubile. Hichilema sought to retain power by presenting his first-term economic programme as the basis for continued recovery, while Mundubile sought to unite the opposition and mobilise support associated with Lungu's former political base. Other presidential candidates, including Harry Kalaba, Fred M'membe, Given Katuta Mwelwa, Kelvin Bwalya Fube and Brian Mushimba, competed for votes but did not command the same level of support as the two leading candidates.^[25]

The president is elected via the two-round system.^[26] The second round is dispensed with if a candidate secures more than 50% of the vote in the first round.^[27]

Following amendments to the constitution in 2025, the electoral system for the National Assembly was changed. Previously 156 members had been elected by the first-past-the-post in single-member constituencies, with a further eight appointed by the president and three others being ex officio members: the vice president, the Speaker and a deputy speaker elected from outside the National Assembly. The 2025 changes introduced a mixed-member majoritarian representation system, with 226 members elected by first-past-the-post from single-member constituencies, 40 members elected by proportional representation based on the presidential vote (of which 20 are seats reserved for women, 15 for youth and five for persons with disabilities), up to 11 members appointed by the president and the vice-president, Speaker and first and second deputy speakers.^[28]

The minimum voting age is 18, whilst National Assembly candidates must be at least 21.^[29]

Incumbent president Hakainde Hichilema received endorsements from some members of the UPND Alliance, including Highvie Hamududu, leader of the Party of National Unity and Progress (in November 2024),^[30] Nevers Mumba, leader of the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (in October 2024),^[31][32] Leslie Chikuse, leader of the Republican Progressive Party,^[18] Ezra Ngulube, leader of the National Restoration Party,^[18] Charles Milupi, the alliance chairperson,^[33][34] and Felix Mutati, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change.^[35]

The former ruling party, the Patriotic Front, and a number of fellow opposition parties formed the Tonse Alliance in November 2024 with the goal to unseat the UPND in the 2026 election.^[36] Former president Edgar Lungu was announced as the chairman and presidential candidate, but was declared ineligible to stand by the Constitutional Court saying he had already served the maximum two terms allowed by law on 10 December 2024^[37] and then died in 2025.^[19] On 28 January 2026, Member of Parliament Brian Mundubile, was elected as the alliance's presidential candidate^[38][39] and in May 2026, it was decided that the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) was chosen as the party to be used by the alliance at the election.^[40][41]

Harry Kalaba of the Citizens First party ran as a candidate for the CF Orange Alliance and was endorsed by members of the alliance, including Saboi Imboela (the National Democratic Congress president).^{[42][43][44][45]} Fred M'membe ran as the candidate of the Socialist Party.^[46] Given Katuta Mwelwa, who had been the member of parliament for Chiengi constituency for 10 years,^[47] ran as an independent presidential candidate.^[48][49][50]

On 12 August the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) excluded Xavier Franklin Chungu of the Liberal Democratic Party as a presidential candidate, stating that Chungu was not eligible to contest the election because he had withdrawn his candidacy and that any votes cast for Chungu would be invalid.^[51]

After the presidential nominations, the Electoral Commission of Zambia introduced a timetable for campaign activities, including rallies and other events involving the presidential candidates.^[52] The official campaign period ran from 21 May to 12 August 2026.^[53]

Hichilema campaigned for a second term by pointing to his government's economic record.^[54] His campaign highlighted Zambia's debt-restructuring programme, the restoration of relations with international lenders, investment in the copper industry and the expansion of public services.^[55] The UPND campaign also promised to continue efforts to reduce the cost of living, create jobs, expand free education and support agriculture and social-protection programmes.^[56]

The opposition's main campaign message focused on the economic difficulties faced by many Zambians. Mundubile argued that the high cost of living, unemployment and economic hardship showed the failure of the government's policies.^[57] He campaigned on reducing living costs, strengthening agriculture and manufacturing, creating opportunities for young people and restoring what he described as democratic freedoms.^[58] The opposition's other message campaign was also influenced by the unresolved burial of former president Edgar Lungu, who died in June 2025.^[59][60] At a campaign rally in Chinsali, Mundubile said that he and Makebi Zulu would give Lungu a dignified burial if elected. The statement prompted State House to question whether Lungu had wished to be buried under a future Mundubile government. The Tonse Alliance also drew support from sections of the opposition associated with Lungu and the former Patriotic Front government.^[61] The dispute between Lungu's family and the government over his burial became an issue during the campaign and added to tensions between Lungu's supporters and Hichilema’s government.

Another challenger was Xavier Franklin Chungu, a former director-general of the Zambia Security Intelligence Service.^[62] Chungu was arrested on 28 May 2026 and charged with offences including violations of the State Security Act and sedition.^[63] He remained in detention during the campaign and was unable to campaign for the presidency. Chungu later withdrew from the election and endorsed Mundubile.^[64]

As polling day approached, the presidential campaign became more competitive. Hichilema held a final rally in Lusaka, where he urged voters to give him a second term to continue his economic programme. Mundubile accused the authorities of using arrests and other measures to intimidate opposition supporters. The government denied the allegations.^[65]

An opinion poll conducted by consultants led by a University of Zambia demographer showed Hichilema leading with 60% of the vote with the combined opposition getting 35%. In head-to-head matchups with different opposition candidates, Hichilema's support was between 58% and 63%.^[66][67]

Voting was held on 13 August. Inspector General Graphel Musamba stated that the election was mostly peaceful, but police made several arrests for violence, including: nine suspects detained over the fatal assault of polling agent Lovemore Chishima in Matero; six men apprehended with weapons and ammunition in Lusaka with police seeking Sean Tembo for questioning; one suspect arrested after a shooting in Kalomo; and another detained following an attack on an official's residence in Kasama.^[68]

On 14 August, the ECZ suspended the counting of votes, citing attacks and threats against voting staff.^[69] Counting was resumed on the following day.^[70]

While counting was suspended, police arrested 11 people in Lusaka, including opposition candidate Brian Mundubile, on suspicion of plotting an insurrection. Mundubile denied the accusations and said he was the subject of an assassination attempt.^[71] Mutotwe Kafwaya, a former minister, was also killed during the raids.^[72]

On 14 August opposition presidential candidate Brian Mundubile said that he had won the election.^[73] He based the claim on his campaign's Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT), which he said was based on results received from polling stations and totalling centres across the country.^[74][75] In his statement, Mundubile said that the results compiled through his party's PVT showed that he had won the election.^[76] At the time, the ECZ had not announced a winner and was still verifying and tabulating results from the 226 constituencies.^[77]

George Chisanga, the Tonse presidential spokesperson, later said that Mundubile had not "declared himself a winner", but had presented his campaign's parallel tally as showing that he was ahead.^[78][79]

• Presidency of Hakainde Hichilema
• Elections in Zambia