Zambia’s Hichilema closes in on second term as opposition alleges vote tampering
President Hakainde Hichilema moved within reach of a second term on Monday as results from Zambia’s August 13 election showed him leading by a wide
President Hakainde Hichilema moved within reach of a second term on Monday as results from Zambia’s August 13 election showed him leading by a wide margin, while opposition complaints, arrests and a disputed pause in counting cast a shadow over the race.
With more than two-thirds of the country’s 226 constituencies counted, the 64-year-old incumbent had 62% of the vote, putting him on course to win outright and avoid a runoff. His main challenger, Brian Mundubile, trailed on 36%, with 12 other candidates splitting less than 2% as the last results trickled in from 65 constituencies.
Counting race, political tension
The vote was largely peaceful on polling day. The atmosphere before and after it was rougher. Opposition parties accused authorities of intimidation, arrests, violence and irregularities during the campaign, and the count itself drew sharp criticism after a suspension that many in the opposition said should never have happened.
Mundubile, 55, a former government minister who only entered the contest in May, said on Monday that documents listing the results had been tampered with, though he offered no evidence. He warned that the integrity of the count was at risk. The Electoral Commission of Zambia has not publicly addressed those claims in the source material available.
The race has become a referendum on Hichilema’s handling of the economy, just as copper production is booming in the southern African country. Zambia, one of Africa’s major copper producers, has been watched closely by investors and regional governments as it seeks to turn mineral wealth into broader growth.
Hichilema seeks to extend his mandate
Hichilema, an economist and rancher, won office in 2021 after a landslide victory over then-incumbent Edgar Lungu. A second term would give him another five years to push his agenda after a first term that has been closely tied to the country’s economic fortunes.
The latest tally released in Lusaka by the Electoral Commission of Zambia placed Hichilema on 1,544,140 votes from 135 constituencies, with Mundubile on 1,030,662, underscoring the gap that has opened as counting nears its end.
A candidate needs more than 50% of valid votes to win in the first round. If Hichilema holds his lead, Zambia could have a result without a runoff — and with just 65 constituencies still outstanding, the finish line is close.
