Zambians are currently voting in an election where President Hakainde Hichilema is bidding for a second term. Hichilema, 64, defeated his arch-rival Edgar Lungu in 2021.
The election is overshadowed by a continuing feud between Hichilema and the family of Lungu, who died in South Africa in June 2025. This dispute included a court case where the Zambian government attempted to prevent Lungu's family from burying him without Hichilema presiding over a state funeral. South Africa's supreme court of appeal ruled in favour of Lungu's family in June.
Hichilema is facing the Tonse Alliance of opposition parties, led by Brian Mundubile, 55. Mundubile's running mate, Makebi Zulu, acted as the Lungu family's spokesperson during the burial dispute. On the campaign trail, Mundubile and Zulu have pledged to bring Lungu’s body back to Zambia for burial.
The Tonse Alliance has also alleged that Hichilema has used authoritarian tactics during the campaign, including raiding their offices and detaining 36 members of Mundubile's team. Hichilema's team has denied these claims, referencing Lungu's treatment of Hichilema during the previous election. Transparency International Zambia monitors have noted police disruptions at opposition rallies, which they say appear biased against the opposition.
Zambia's economy has stabilised since defaulting on debts in 2020 under Lungu, with annual inflation now at 6.5% compared to 24.6% in July 2021. The government made primary and secondary education free in 2022. However, the cost of living remains a concern, with prices almost doubling between 2021 and 2025, despite an increase in average annual income.