Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema ⁠Re-elected

Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema ⁠has won re-election for ⁠a second five-year term, according to the electoral authorities, after a race marred by allegations of fraud.

Results released by the election commission in the early hours of Tuesday morning showed that Hichilema received roughly 61.4 percent of valid votes, compared with ⁠38 percent for his main challenger, Brian Mundubile.

“I therefore declare Hichilema Hakainde S to be president-elect of the Republic of Zambia this 18th day of August, 2026,” commission chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis said.

It was Hichilema’s seventh run for the presidency, and he was widely expected to win due to the advantages of incumbency, while it was Mundubile’s first bid to become head of state.

After his victory was announced, hundreds of Hichilema’s supporters gathered in the capital, Lusaka, wearing the red colours of his United Party for National Development (UPND), singing, dancing and setting off firecrackers in celebration.

Hichilema, 64, issued a statement after his victory, saying he was “truly humbled by the trust you have placed in our hands”. He also told those who had backed his opponents, “We hear you, and we will continue to work for you.”

There was no immediate reaction from Mundubile, the opposition leader.