Hichilema Declared Winner
The Electoral Commission of Zambia declared incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema the winner of the presidential election on Tuesday, granting him a second five-year term. Hichilema secured 61.4% of the 5 million votes cast, while his main rival, Brian Mundubile, received 38%, according to the commission's tally. Commission chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis declared Hichilema president-elect on August 18, 2026, noting that although five of the country's 226 constituencies had not yet been tallied, those results were "not likely to materially influence the overall result."
Hichilema, in power since 2021, entered the race as the clear favorite after steering Zambia through a major economic turnaround and restructuring its debt. In his victory statement, he said, "We are truly humbled by the trust you have placed in our hands," and addressed opponents directly: "To those citizens who preferred the ideas presented by our opponents, we hear you, and we will continue to work for you."
Opposition Announces Court Challenge
Mundubile, who heads the opposition National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) and ran for the presidency for the first time, announced on Wednesday that he would challenge the election result in court. "Our campaign has documented serious irregularities, inconsistencies and circumstances surrounding the conduct, counting, transmission and declaration of results," he said in a statement, alleging voting fraud. Mundubile, a former provincial minister, had earlier said he was under protection due to threats.
The election was largely peaceful, but the opposition said intimidation and restrictions marred its campaign, concerns that were echoed by international observer missions. The European Union's observer mission raised concerns about transparency, reporting that its observers saw extended breaks during the tabulation process in almost half of observations, as returning officers seemed to wait for instructions from headquarters before announcing results.
Arrests and Suspension of Vote Counting
Tensions escalated rapidly after polls closed on August 13. Authorities arrested 11 people, including leading opposition figures, in a raid that involved an exchange of gunfire while Mundubile was present. The government described the operation as a raid against "militia activity," but Mundubile's NRPUP party denied any ties to militias and said shots were fired during the raid at Mundubile's home. Mundubile decried the raid as an attack on his life.
The electoral commission suspended vote counting for several hours last Friday after reports of attacks against polling officials and theft of some ballots. Counting restarted hours later under tightened security. International observer missions, including the European Union, said the nearly six-hour pause was a threat to the credibility of the electoral process.
International Reactions
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk expressed concern over the arrest of opposition officials, urging authorities "to stop arresting people arbitrarily and to uphold fully the due process rights of all those detained." He also stated that all arrests "must be fully consistent with international human rights standards, as well as Zambian domestic law."
Looking Ahead
Hichilema is due to be sworn in within seven days of the commission publishing the official results, which are due by August 24. Mundubile's planned legal challenge could delay the process. His campaign focused on the argument that improving macroeconomic indicators had made little difference to living standards for ordinary Zambians.