HH, Mundubile face off as Zambia decides

OVER 8.7 million registered Zambian voters are today expected to turn out to elect the President of the country for the next five years. The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has called for free and fair elections, free from violence, intimidation and corruption, and conducted in a manner that enables every voter to exercise their […]

OVER 8.7 million registered Zambian voters are today expected to turn out to elect the President of the country for the next five years.

The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has called for free and fair elections, free from violence, intimidation and corruption, and conducted in a manner that enables every voter to exercise their choice freely and without fear.

Further, SADC is encouraging eligible voters in Zambia to seize the opportunity to directly influence their country’s leadership by voting peacefully.

President Hakainde Hichilema will be seeking a second term after winning the 2021 elections with 2,810,757 votes, defeating late former president Edgar Lungu, who polled 1,814,201 votes.

Today’s election has been tipped as a two-horse race between President Hichilema, who is standing on the United Party for National Development (UPND) ticket, and National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) presidential candidate Brian Mundubile, who is vying for Plot One for the first time.

Mundubile previously served as Mporokoso MP from 2016 until the dissolution of Parliament in May 2026 under the now “fragmented” Patriotic Front.

President Hichilema will contest today’s election with Vice-President Mutale Nalumango as his running mate, while Makebi Zulu is Mundubile’s running mate.

Although President Hichilema and Mundubile appear to be front-runners in today’s polls, 11 other candidates are also hoping to emerge victorious, namely Dr Fred M’membe of the Socialist Party, Harry Kalaba of Citizens First, Kelvin Fube Bwalya of Zambia Must Prosper, Dr Richard Silumbe of the Leadership Movement, Howard Kunda of Zambia Wake Up Party and Dr Brian Mushimba of the Organised People’s Party.

Others are Dr Richwell Siamunene of the New Focus Party, Prof Daniel Pule of the Christian Democratic Party, Ackim Njobvu of the Democratic Union, Given Chansa of the Movement for Economic Emancipation and independent candidate Given Katuta.

Xavier Chungu of the Liberal Democratic Party, who had successfully filed his nomination, withdrew from the election but will appear on the ballot. This means that any votes cast in his favour shall not constitute valid votes.

Over the last three months, presidential candidates have traversed the country to convince voters that they are the right candidates to steer the country in the right direction, to the benefit of citizens.

The campaign period, which many have described as relatively peaceful, saw pockets of violence, with the main opposition complaining of being blocked from “campaigning peacefully” by the police. The police, on the other hand, explained that opposition leaders were only blocked from areas where they were not supposed to be.

President Hichilema held over 130 rallies across the 10 provinces, while his main contender Mundubile held 64 rallies in nine provinces. He opted not to hold physical rallies in Southern Province, claiming that his life was in danger as he was “targeted”.

Polling stations are expected to open at 06:00 hours and close at 18:00 hours, while the counting of votes is expected to carry on for at least three days, as the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) committed to announcing the final results within 72 hours after the close of the last polling station.

Apart from the presidential election, Zambians across the country will be electing members of parliament, mayors or council chairpersons and councillors.

The presidential vote will also determine the allocation of Proportional Representation seats: 20 seats are reserved for women, 15 seats for youth and five are reserved for persons with disabilities.

Meanwhile, LAZ president Arnold Kaluba has called on all Zambians to uphold the Constitution, respect the rule of law and preserve peace as the country goes to the polls.

“The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) calls on all Zambians, political parties, candidates, electoral officials, security agencies, the media and all stakeholders to uphold the Constitution, respect the rule of law and preserve peace, unity and public confidence as the country goes to the polls on Thursday, 13th August 2026. The elections must be free and fair, free from violence, intimidation and corruption and conducted in a manner that enables every voter to exercise their choice freely and without fear. Elections are a fundamental expression of the will of the people. The Constitution requires that the electoral process be conducted freely and fairly, without violence, intimidation or corruption, and that it be administered independently, transparently and efficiently,” he stated.

Kaluba called on citizens to respect the political choices of others and not allow differences in political opinion to divide the nation.

“LAZ therefore urges political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct themselves with restraint, tolerance and respect for the rights of others. Political disagreement is an ordinary and necessary part of democracy; violence, intimidation and hostility are not. Elections must remain a peaceful contest of ideas, policies and leadership. Political leaders bear a special responsibility to discourage violence, inflammatory rhetoric, misinformation and any conduct capable of undermining public confidence in democratic institutions. All political actors are accordingly urged to comply with the Electoral Process Act No. 35 of 2016, the Electoral Code of Conduct and all other applicable laws, and to refrain from language or conduct that may incite violence, provoke disorder or undermine the integrity of the electoral process,” Kaluba stated.

“LAZ equally calls upon voters and members of the public to exercise their democratic rights peacefully and responsibly. Every eligible voter must be free to make a choice through a secret ballot without intimidation, bribery, coercion, discrimination or unlawful interference. Citizens should respect the political choices of others and must not allow differences in political opinion to divide families, communities or the nation. The rights, safety and dignity of all persons must be protected throughout the electoral process. No individual should be subjected to violence, harassment, discrimination or unlawful interference on account of their political opinion, affiliation or participation in the elections. Particular care must be taken to ensure that women, persons with disabilities, older persons and others who may be vulnerable to intimidation, exclusion or violence are able to participate freely, safely and with dignity”.

Kaluba further urged the ECZ to discharge its constitutional and statutory duties independently, impartially, transparently and professionally.

He added that the Zambia Police Service and other security agencies must likewise remain professional, impartial and non-partisan.

Kaluba also urged all political parties, candidates and citizens to respect the results that would be lawfully declared in accordance with the Constitution and the law.

“As election results are announced, LAZ urges all political parties, candidates and citizens to respect results lawfully declared in accordance with the Constitution and the law, without prejudice to the right of any aggrieved person to challenge an electoral outcome through the lawful procedures provided for that purpose. Disagreement with an electoral outcome must therefore be addressed through the institutions and procedures established by law. These mechanisms exist to ensure that grievances are heard and determined peacefully, fairly and transparently. No electoral dispute justifies violence, intimidation, destruction of property or any other form of unlawful conduct. LAZ also calls upon all institutions responsible for receiving and determining electoral disputes to discharge their responsibilities independently, fairly and within the requirements of the law, so that lawful grievances may be resolved through institutions in which the public can have confidence,” said Kaluba.

Meanwhile, Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation Prof Arthur Peter Mutharika encouraged Zambians to vote peacefully in today’s election.

“My message today is to emphasise the importance of utmost respect for peace and tolerance, both during and after election day. I encourage all eligible voters in Zambia to seize this opportunity to directly influence their country’s leadership by voting peacefully on August 13th, 2026,” said Prof Mutharika.