2026 Zambian general election

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2026 Zambian general election
13 August 2026
Presidential election
 
Candidate Hakainde Hichilema Brian Mundubile Fred M'membe
Party UPND FDD Socialist
Alliance UPND Alliance Tonse Alliance People's Pact
Running mate Mutale Nalumango
Incumbent President

Hakainde Hichilema
UPND


National Assembly election
All 280 seats in the National Assembly
141 seats needed for a majority
Party Leader Last election
UPND Hakainde Hichilema 82
PF Given Lubinda (acting) 60
PNUP Highvie Hamududu 1
Independents – 13
Incumbent Speaker of the National Assembly
Nelly Mutti

General elections are due to be held in Zambia on 13 August 2026 to elect a president, members of the national assembly, councillors and council chairs.[1]

Electoral system

The president is elected via the two-round system.[2]

Following amendments to the constitution in 2025, the electoral system for the National Assembly was changed. Previously 156 members had been elected by the first-past-the-post in single-member constituencies, with a further eight appointed by the president and three others being ex officio members: the vice president, the Speaker and a deputy speaker elected from outside the National Assembly. The 2025 changes introduced a mixed-member majoritarian representation system, with 226 members elected by first-past-the-post from single-member constituencies, 40 members elected by proportional representation based on the presidential vote (of which 20 are seats reserved for women, 15 for youth and five for persons with disabilities), up to 11 members appointed by the president and the vice-president, Speaker and first and second deputy speakers.[3]

The minimum voting age is 18, whilst National Assembly candidates must be at least 21.[4]

Presidential candidates

Incumbent president Hakainde Hichilema received endorsements from some members of the UPND Alliance, including Highvie Hamududu, leader of the Party of National Unity and Progress (in November 2024),[5] Nevers Mumba, leader of the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (in October 2024),[6][7] Leslie Chikuse, leader of the Republican Progressive Party,[8] Ezra Ngulube, leader of the National Restoration Party,[8] Charles Milupi, the alliance chairperson,[9][10] and Felix Mutati, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change.[11]

The former ruling party, the Patriotic Front, and a number of fellow opposition parties formed the Tonse Alliance in November 2024 with the goal to unseat the UPND in the 2026 election.[12] Former president Edgar Lungu was announced as the chairman and presidential candidate, but was declared ineligible to stand on 10 December 2024[13] and passed away in 2025.[14] On 28 January 2026, Member of Parliament Brian Mundubile, was elected as the alliance's presidential candidate with the Forum for Democracy and Development chosen as the party to be used by the alliance at the election.[15][16]

One faction of the Patriotic Front later withdrew from the Tonse Alliance[17][18] and subsequently elected former MP and lawyer to late president Lungu, Makebi Zulu as leader and presidential candidate.[19]

Fred M'membe of the Socialist Party is running as a candidate for the People's Pact, a movement consisting of civil society and political parties.[20] Harry Kalaba of the Citizens First party is running as a candidate for the CF Orange Alliance and has been endorsed by members of the alliance, including Saboi Imboela (the National Democratic Congress president).[21][22][23][24]

Given Katuta Mwelwa, who had been the member of parliament for Chiengi constituency for 10 years from 2016,[25] announced in 2025 that she would be an independent presidential candidate at the 2026 election.[26][27][28]

Opinion polls

An opinion poll conducted by consultants led by a University of Zambia demographer showed Hichilema leading with 60% of the vote with the combined opposition getting 35%. In head-to-head matchups with different opposition candidates, Hichilema's support was between 58% and 63%.[29][30]

References

  1. "Zambia invites EU as observer to 2026 general elections". www.aa.com.tr. 2025-05-21. Retrieved 2025-11-08.
  2. Machenheimer, Sabine (9 December 2015). "Closely fought 2016 election would increase localised violence risks and put pressure on Zambia's austerity plans". Janes. Archived from the original on 8 April 2016. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  3. "Composition of the National Assembly and appointment of the 40 PR members under article 68 - bill 7". Zambian Digest. 19 December 2026 – via Facebook.
  4. "ZAMBIA (National Assembly), Electoral system". Inter-Parliamentary Union. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  5. "HAMUDUDU declares support for HH in 2026 elections". ZNBC. 24 November 2024.
  6. "Nevers endorses HH for 2026 – Daily Revelation News". Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  7. "Those trying to mimic UPND Alliance bachepa sana, says HH as Nevers joins". Zambia: News Diggers!. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
  8. Tutu, Arnold (2025-12-02). "UPND Alliance Declares HH Sole 2026 Candidate". ZNBC. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  9. Nalwimba, Mwiche. "UPND's 2026 winning margin will be wider than 2021 – Milupi". Zambia: News Diggers!. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  10. Munkombwe, Elijah. "Mundubile has decampaigned himself by saying he wants to rule like Lungu – Milupi". Zambia: News Diggers!. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  11. "Zambia : We Don't Fight in UPND Alliance – Mutati". Lusaka Times. 2026-01-13. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
  12. Kasabo, Angel (November 7, 2024). "TONSE ALLIANCE LUNCHED, ECL AT THE HELM". rcv.co.zm.
  13. "Court rules former Zambian leader Lungu can't run for president again in 2026 election". Associated Press. 10 December 2024. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  14. "Zambia's former President Edgar Lungu dies aged 68". The Citizen. 2025-06-05. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
  15. "Mundubile elected Tonse Alliance president as PF remains under court block". Lusaka Times. 28 January 2026. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
  16. Munkombwe, Elijah (29 January 2026). "Tonse elects Mundubile as president". News Diggers. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  17. Mabenga, Elizabeth. "Lubinda's PF launches Pamodzi Alliance, distances itself from Tonse". Zambia: News Diggers!. Retrieved 2026-03-30.
  18. SICHULA, AUGUSTINE (2026-03-11). "Lubinda-led PF faction forms Pamodzi Alliance, cuts ties with Tonse Alliance (Video)". Zambia Monitor. Retrieved 2026-03-13.
  19. "Zambia : Makebi Zulu Wins Patriotic Front Presidential Race with 49.2 Percent". Lusaka Times. 2026-03-22. Retrieved 2026-03-30.
  20. Mabenga, Elizabeth (1 January 2026). "People's Pact picks M'membe as 2026 candidate, backed by 5 V/presidents". News Diggers!. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
  21. "Another Coalition, Orange Alliance born - Zambian Eye". Zambian Eye - Breaking News and Current Affairs. 2026-04-29. Retrieved 2026-04-29.
  22. SICHULA, AUGUSTINE (2026-04-29). "Three opposition parties launch CF Orange Alliance, back Kalaba for 2026 presidency | Zambia Monitor". Retrieved 2026-04-29.
  23. "Zambia : Kalaba, Imboela form Orange Alliance, target August 13 victory". 2026-04-30. Retrieved 2026-05-02.
  24. zamobserver (2026-04-30). "Kalaba Unveils 'Orange Alliance' as Opposition Reconfigures Ahead of 2026 Poll - The Zambian Observer". Retrieved 2026-05-02.
  25. "Given Katuta". National Assembly of Zambia. 1969-03-06. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  26. "Given Katuta guns for presidency". Daily Nation. 2025-10-09. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  27. Lutena, Kenneth (2025-10-08). "Katuta moves to unseat Hichilema in 2026, declares presidential bid as an independent candidate | Zambia Monitor". Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  28. zamobserver (2026-02-25). "CHIENGE MP SAYS SHE WILL WIN 2026 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS - The Zambian Observer". Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  29. "Hichilema Would Win 60% of Vote if Election Held Today, New Poll Shows". Lusaka Times. 31 December 2025. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
  30. "Opinion poll shows President Hakainde Hichilema headed for victory in 2026". mwebantu. 31 December 2025. Retrieved 3 January 2026.