Hichilema Seeks 2nd Zambia Term as Lungu’s Legacy Shadows 8.8 Million Voters
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Aug 13
Hichilema Seeks 2nd Zambia Term as Lungu’s Legacy Shadows 8.8 Million Voters
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Aug 13
Summary
8.8 million registered voters are casting ballots in Zambia as President Hakainde Hichilema, 64, seeks a second term against Tonse Alliance candidate Brian Mundubile, 55.
Edgar Lungu’s death in 2025 still shapes the race: Mundubile’s camp has vowed to return the former president’s body for burial after a court-backed dispute with Hichilema’s government over funeral arrangements.
36 opposition team members were detained during the campaign, and monitors said police disruptions of rallies appeared more biased against opposition and independent candidates; Hichilema’s party rejects accusations of repression.
6.5% inflation and free education since 2022 bolster Hichilema’s economic case after Zambia’s debt crisis, but prices nearly doubled from 2021 to 2025 and many voters say living costs still dominate daily life.
How will a former president's unburied body sway tomorrow's tightly contested Zambian election?
Will macroeconomic triumphs cost President Hichilema his second term as struggling households demand immediate relief at the polls?
Zambia’s 2026 Election: Economic Gains, Democratic Strains, and the Lungu Burial Crisis Shape a Pivotal Vote for 8.8 Million Voters
Overview
On the eve of Zambia’s August 13, 2026 election, the country faces a tense political climate shaped by both ambitious reforms and deep divisions. The ruling UPND, led by President Hichilema, touts achievements like free education and economic recovery, but the opposition struggles after failing to field candidates in many new parliamentary seats, leaving several UPND candidates unopposed. Meanwhile, the unresolved legal battle over former President Lungu’s burial has fueled regional tensions and energized opposition supporters in the north. Last-minute legislative changes and restrictive cyber laws have raised concerns about electoral transparency, while administrative delays could trigger unrest if public trust erodes.