Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has secured a second five-year term after winning more than 51 percent of the vote in last week's presidential election, the Electoral Commission of Zambia announced on Tuesday.
Hichilema avoided a run-off by claiming an outright victory with 2,965,326 votes. His closest competitor, opposition leader Brian Mundubile, finished second with 1,856,217 votes. "I therefore declare Hichilema Hakainde to be president-elect of the Republic of Zambia this 18th day of August, 2026," announced commission chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis at the national election centre in the capital, Lusaka.
Following the official declaration, Hichilema expressed his gratitude on social media. Writing on Facebook, the president-elect stated, "Thank you, Zambia. We are truly humbled by the trust you have placed in our hands, to hold our nation's highest office and be your servant once more."
The election process faced several disruptions before the final results were tallied. Vote counting was briefly suspended last Friday and resumed hours later under heightened security. The commission explained that the suspension was necessary following attacks on some polling station officials and the theft of ballot papers. Additionally, the government confirmed that several prominent opposition figures were arrested on the night of the elections, with police accusing them of posing a threat to state security.
Despite these tensions, the streets of Lusaka filled with jubilant crowds celebrating the result in the early morning cold. Collins Maoma, the national chairperson of Hichilema's ruling United Party for National Development (UPND), praised the president's leadership. "Mr President, please continue being the good leader that you are to this country. The people of Zambia have demonstrated once again their confidence and belief in your leadership," Maoma told reporters.
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