Vote counting is underway in Zambia following Thursday’s general election, with the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) saying final results are expected by Monday, August 17.
Registered voters cast their ballots at over 13,500 polling stations nationwide after voting opened at 6 a.m. and closed at 6 p.m. local time.
The election is seen as a key test for President Hakainde Hichilema, who is seeking a second five-year term after winning power in 2021.
Hichilema, leader of the United Party for National Development (UPND), faces 13 other presidential contenders, including his main rival Brian Mundubile, a former minister backed by an alliance of opposition parties.
Zambia’s voting system
Under Zambia’s electoral system, a presidential candidate must secure more than 50 percent of the vote to win outright. If no candidate reaches that threshold, a run-off election will be held between the top two contenders.
Hichilema has campaigned on his government’s efforts to stabilise the economy, restructure debt and attract foreign investment, particularly in Zambia’s crucial mining sector. His administration has also pledged to increase annual copper production to three million metric tonnes by 2031.
The election comes amid growing public concern over the rising cost of living, a key issue that has dominated the campaign. Mundubile has promised measures aimed at lowering living costs, strengthening agriculture and protecting democratic freedoms.
Local and international observer missions, including representatives from the European Union, monitored the voting process across the country.
Implications for Zambia
The election carries significant economic importance for Zambia, Africa’s second-largest copper producer.
Copper remains a critical resource for the global renewable energy and electric vehicle industries, making the country’s mining sector central to both domestic growth and international markets.
While Hichilema has focused on expanding copper output and attracting investment, opposition parties argue that mining revenues should translate into lower living costs and improved public services.
The ECZ has begun releasing preliminary constituency-level results but has stressed that official outcomes will only be announced after the completion of national verification procedures.
Final certified results are scheduled to be announced on August 17.
