Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema secures a second 5-year term, facing a strong challenge from the opposition amidst public dissatisfaction despite economic improvements. The election commission announced Hichilema’s victory with around 60% of valid votes, defeating main rival Brian Mundubile who garnered 38%. This marked Hichilema’s seventh presidential bid, leveraging his economic track record since navigating the pandemic-induced debt crisis in 2021. The election, initially calm, saw a swift escalation of tensions post-vote.
International observers, including the European Union, noted relative peace during the election but highlighted constraints on fundamental freedoms throughout the electoral process. The aftermath witnessed arrests, including opposition figures, during a raid with gunfire exchanges in the presence of Mundubile. Subsequently, the electoral commission halted vote counting due to reported violence against polling staff and ballot paper theft. Amid allegations of result tampering, the opposition called for an independent investigation, while Hichilema’s camp dismissed the claims.
The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops expressed unease over the military’s involvement in the vote counting process, emphasizing that maintaining order during elections falls within the Zambia Police Service’s mandate. Despite potential legal challenges by the opposition, experts suggest the likelihood of successful appeals is minimal. While isolated political unrest remains possible, widespread turmoil is not anticipated in the near future.