Zambian President, Hakainde Hichilema, has been re-elected to serve a second five-year term, following the country’s general election held last Thursday.

Mr Hichilema of the United Party for National Development (UPND) polled 60 per cent of the total votes, while his main challenger, Brian Mundubile of the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) had about 38 per cent of the total votes.

The chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), Mwangala Zaloumis, declared Mr Hichilema winner on Tuesday at the national election results centre in Lusaka.

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

In a statement on Tuesday, the re-elected president said he was humbled by the trust placed in his hands, particularly to hold the nation’s highest office and to be the people’s servant.

Mr Hichilema stated, “This election showed the world who we are: a nation of peace, a nation of law and order, a democratic nation that settles our differences at the ballot box, and nowhere else.

“Over these months we have travelled to all 116 districts, to our nation’s cities, our compounds, our villages, and our farms. We saw first-hand the challenges that our people are facing, and we resolved to work with you to solve these challenges, together.”

“To those citizens who preferred the ideas presented by our opponents, we hear you, and we will continue to work for you to ensure that every Zambian benefits from the development we are delivering.”

The Zambian president said he would work harder than ever before to deliver meaningful development to the citizens. 

“Indeed, we will devote all our energies to development and progress, strengthened by unity, cooperation and our shared purpose as one nation,” Mr Hichilema said.

“After a hard-fought campaign, the people have spoken and we now turn our focus to building even greater peace and prosperity, and we remain one Zambia, one Nation, one people,” he said.

Mr Hichilema was re-elected via an election process marred by concerns and allegation by the opposition.

Opposition candidate, Mr Mundubile, alleged and decried attempts to manipulate the country’s election results during the counting and tallying phase.

The electoral commission also temporarily halted the counting of the country’s election results on Friday, citing violence against election officials and alleged theft of marked ballot papers.