LUSAKA, Aug. 18, 2026 (NewsDay Live) — Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has won a second term in office, securing 61.4% of the vote in an election that was marred by allegations of electoral misconduct, violence and a temporary suspension of vote counting.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia declared Hichilema the winner early Tuesday after he secured 2,965,326 votes, ahead of opposition leader Brian Mundubile, who received 1,856,217 votes, or about 38%.
Hichilema, 64, did not require a runoff and will serve another five-year term. The victory marks his second presidential win after he defeated then-President Edgar Lungu in 2021.
In a statement after the results were announced, Hichilema thanked voters and extended an olive branch to those who supported the opposition, saying his government would continue working to ensure that all Zambians benefit from the country’s development.
His supporters gathered in Lusaka after the announcement, celebrating in the red colours of his United Party for National Development.
Mundubile, who was making his first bid for the presidency, had raised concerns over the conduct of the vote and alleged that some results forms may have been altered. His party also alleged military involvement at some tallying centres.
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The Electoral Commission temporarily suspended vote counting after reports of violence against election officials and the theft of ballot papers before resuming the process.
The election campaign had been relatively calm before polling day on Aug. 13, but tensions escalated after authorities arrested 11 people, including senior opposition figures, during a raid involving an exchange of gunfire. Mundubile was reportedly present during the incident.
International observers said voting itself was largely peaceful but raised concerns about restrictions on political freedoms and an uneven campaign environment.
Hichilema campaigned on his government’s economic record, including Zambia’s progress in restructuring its debt and restoring economic stability following the country’s 2020 debt default. His second term is expected to focus on economic growth, investment and expansion of the country’s copper industry.
The president now faces pressure to ensure that improvements in macroeconomic indicators translate into better living standards for ordinary Zambians, amid persistent concerns over the cost of living.