Zambian President Hichilema leads election count, nearing second term

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema is poised to win a second term in office, leading the presidential election count with 58.87% of the votes tallied after more than half of the ballots were processed. The election commission announced that Hichilema secured 1,544,140 votes, significantly ahead of his closest competitor, Brian Mundubile, who garnered 1,030,662 votes.

To secure victory in the first round, a candidate must achieve over 50% of the total votes. The electoral process, while largely peaceful on election day, was preceded by opposition claims of intimidation, arrests, and abductions. International observer missions urged all parties to de-escalate inflammatory rhetoric.

The vote counting process experienced a nearly six-hour suspension on Friday due to reports of violence against polling staff and allegations of ballot tampering. This pause, however, was criticized by the Southern African Development Community observer mission for creating uncertainty and anxiety.

Hichilema, who won his first term in 2021, faces scrutiny over a perceived tightening of the political climate and restrictions on campaigning during his tenure. The European Union noted these limitations contributed to an uneven playing field. Despite economic growth during his first term, critics point out that this has not yet translated into improved living standards for ordinary Zambians, with a significant portion of the population living on less than $3 a day.