Lusaka – Zambia’s Electoral Commission confirmed on Tuesday that incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema has been re‑elected for a second five‑year term. The commission declared Hichilema the outright winner of the August 15 presidential election, eliminating the need for a runoff.
Vote totals and opposition response
According to the official tally, Hichilema received 2,965,326 votes, representing 61.4% of the roughly five million ballots cast. Opposition leader Brian Mundubile, the closest challenger, garnered 1,856,217 votes, or about 38% of the total. Commission chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis formally declared Hichilema president‑elect on August 18.
In a statement released Tuesday, President Hichilema thanked Zambians for their support and extended an olive branch to those who voted for the opposition, saying, “To those citizens who preferred the ideas presented by our opponents, we hear you, and we will continue to work for you to ensure that every Zambian benefits from the development we are delivering.” Mundubile has not yet issued a public response.
Election environment and security concerns
The vote took place amid heightened security measures. Counting was briefly suspended on Friday after the commission reported attacks on polling‑station officials and the theft of ballot papers. Counting resumed hours later under increased police presence.
Following the election, the government confirmed that several leading opposition figures were arrested on the night of the vote, with police alleging they posed a threat to state security. Mundubile claimed his home was raided in what he described as an attack on his life.
Economic backdrop and international observation
This election was widely viewed as a referendum on Hichilema’s economic recovery plan. Since taking office in 2021, he has overseen the restructuring of Zambia’s sovereign debt, curbed inflation, and stabilized the national currency after a severe debt crisis in 2020.
International observers, including a European Union mission, described the election as largely peaceful but noted that “the broader electoral process took place in an environment that limited fundamental freedoms.” EU chief Michael McNamara warned that late legal changes, legal uncertainty, and unequal campaign conditions distorted the playing field.
Faith leaders weigh in
The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a pastoral statement expressing concern over the deployment of the army during vote counting. The bishops emphasized that maintaining order during elections is constitutionally and statutorily the responsibility of the Zambia Police Service.
With the results now official, President Hichilema’s administration will move forward with its development agenda, while opposition figures navigate legal challenges and security investigations.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
