Hichilema declared winner

Zambia’s electoral commission declared President Hakainde Hichilema the winner of the August 13 presidential election, handing him a second five-year term. Commission chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis announced the results in the early hours of Tuesday, saying, “I therefore declare Hichilema Hakainde S to be president-elect of the Republic of Zambia this 18th day of August, 2026.”

Official results showed Hichilema receiving roughly 61.4 percent of valid votes, compared with 38 percent for his main challenger, Brian Mundubile. The victory was Hichilema’s seventh run for the presidency, and he was widely expected to win due to the advantages of incumbency, while it was Mundubile’s first bid to become head of state.

After the announcement, hundreds of Hichilema’s supporters gathered in the capital, Lusaka, wearing the red colours of his United Party for National Development (UPND), singing, dancing and setting off firecrackers in celebration. Hichilema, 64, issued a statement saying he was “truly humbled by the trust you have placed in our hands” and told those who had backed his opponents, “We hear you, and we will continue to work for you.” There was no immediate reaction from Mundubile at that point.

Opposition challenge and allegations

On Wednesday, Mundubile said he would challenge the presidential election result in court, alleging vote fraud. In a statement, he said, “Our campaign has documented serious irregularities, inconsistencies and circumstances surrounding the conduct, counting, transmission and declaration of results.”

A spokesperson for Hichilema declined immediate comment, and the Electoral Commission of Zambia could not immediately be reached for comment. Mundubile issued his statement from an undisclosed location and said earlier that he was under protection due to threats.

EU observers flag transparency concerns

The European Union election observer mission raised some concerns about transparency, saying that many polling centre staff had failed to record results on the tally sheet as soon as they were announced, as regulations require. The mission said in a statement that “observers reported extended breaks during the results tabulation process in almost half of observations, as the returning officers seemed to wait and receive instructions from… headquarters before announcing results.”

The electoral commission had suspended vote-counting for hours on Friday due to reports of violence against polling staff and the theft of ballot papers. The EU mission said the situation had then deteriorated further, with a heavy military presence reducing the number of observers at sites where ballots were gathered and counted.

International observers, including the EU, said the election was largely peaceful but that the “broader electoral process took place in an environment that limited fundamental freedoms.” Michael McNamara, chief of the EU observation mission, said, “Late legal changes, legal uncertainty, and unequal campaign conditions distorted the playing field.”

Tensions over arrest raid

Tensions had gripped the country in recent days after a relatively quiet run-up to the vote. On the night of the election, authorities arrested 11 people, including leading opposition figures, in a raid that involved an exchange of gunfire, while Mundubile was present. The government said the raid targeted “militia activity” and that those arrested were allegedly caught in possession of military-grade weapons meant for an armed insurrection.

Mundubile’s National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) rejected the government’s account, saying the raid took place at their leader’s home and left a member of parliament wounded by gunfire. Mundubile said he had information about the possible alteration of result forms from polling stations and called for an urgent independent investigation. Hichilema’s camp said Mundubile was lying about the alteration of result forms.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk expressed concern over reports of arrests and detentions of opposition members and urged authorities to stop arresting people arbitrarily and uphold due process.

Perspectives

  • Government/Hichilema camp: The raid targeted militia activity and those arrested were caught with weapons meant for an insurrection; allegations of result alteration are dismissed as lies.
  • Opposition/Mundubile: The election was marred by irregularities and fraud, the raid was an attack on the opposition, and the result should be overturned in court.
  • EU observer mission: The election was largely peaceful but the broader process limited fundamental freedoms, with concerns about tabulation transparency and a deteriorating atmosphere.
  • UN Human Rights Office: Raised concern over arrests of opposition figures and called for due process.

Background

About 5 million votes were cast in the election. Zambia is home to 22 million people and is Africa’s second-largest copper producer. Every change of president in Zambia since the return to multiparty politics in 1991 has been achieved through elections.