Overview
- Voting began Thursday with polls opening at 6:00 a.m. local time and about 8.7–8.79 million people registered to cast ballots across Zambia.
- President Hakainde Hichilema is seeking a second five-year term on a record of restructuring more than $12 billion of debt and completing an IMF programme while many citizens continue to face high food, fuel and electricity costs.
- Brian Mundubile emerged late as the main challenger and has accused authorities of restricting his campaign, citing detained opposition figures, raids on opposition offices that seized vehicles and equipment, and other alleged intimidation.
- Authorities deployed extra police on voting day and announced arrests linked to an alleged plot to interfere with the electoral system; the Electoral Commission expects to release results by August 17 and a candidate must win more than 50 percent to avoid a runoff.
- The outcome will shape investor confidence in Zambia’s plan to sharply raise copper output and will affect whether mining revenues and job growth translate into lower living costs and more stable household incomes.