Hichilema Wins Second Term as Zambia's President with 60% of Vote

Politics11 sourcesAug 18, 2026

6 placedFactual rigor 59/100

The Story

Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema has been re-elected for a second five-year term, securing 60% of the vote, the electoral commission announced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.

His closest challenger, Brian Mundubile, received 38% of the votes cast. Mundubile, 55, had earlier claimed victory and alleged voting irregularities without providing evidence. His party, the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Progress (NRPUP), stated Mundubile is in a secure location under the protection of an international human rights body due to threats made against him.

Local media reported Mundubile and his running mate Makebi Zulu went into self-imposed exile at a UN agency in Lusaka, fearing arrests. This followed a raid on Friday where authorities arrested some leading opposition figures, accusing them of plotting an insurrection, a claim Mundubile called a fabrication. Hichilema, 64, secured 2,965,326 votes, while Mundubile received 1,856,218 votes in the August 13 election.

Electoral Commission of Zambia chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis declared Hichilema president-elect. Five of the 226 constituencies had not been tallied, but Zaloumis stated these outstanding results were not likely to materially influence the overall outcome. Hichilema's win was widely expected; he was first elected in 2021 after five previous unsuccessful presidential bids. His United Party for National Development (UPND) media director Mark Simuuwe stated the victory marks a milestone and that the party achieved its highest-ever parliamentary representation.

Hichilema campaigned on his economic record, having steered Zambia through debt restructuring and restored ties with international lenders since 2021. He also made primary and secondary education free. However, World Bank data indicates over 70% of the population lives on less than $3 a day, and economic gains have not been felt evenly. His first term also saw concerns over Zambia's political space, with opposition parties and civil society groups accusing his government of curbing dissent.

At least a dozen opposition members were arrested before and after the vote. Mundubile alleged irregularities in the counting and claimed documents listing results had been tampered with, risking the integrity of the count. Hichilema backers called these claims lies.

What they agree on

Hakainde Hichilema has been re-elected as Zambia's president for a second five-year term.
Hichilema secured approximately 60% of the votes, while his main challenger Brian Mundubile received around 38%.
The election took place on August 13, and the results were announced on August 18, 2026.
Opposition figures, including Brian Mundubile, alleged voting irregularities and faced arrests or threats following the election.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia temporarily suspended vote counting on Friday due to reports of violence and ballot theft.

Where they split

BBC News and The Namibian highlight Brian Mundubile's status as being in hiding or self-imposed exile due to alleged threats, while other outlets like Deutsche Welle and Africanews focus more on the general allegations of irregularities and arrests.
The Africa Report and The Straits Times emphasize Hichilema's economic achievements and the "economic turnaround" during his first term, while Daily Maverick and Reuters also mention public frustration with lingering hardships and the uneven distribution of economic gains.
Some international sources like Deutsche Welle and Reuters detail the specific claims of "militia activity" by authorities and the NRPUP's denial, while others like The Namibian and Africanews provide Hichilema's post-victory statements and focus on his message of peace and development.