Zambia elections: Hakainde Hichilema re-elected president with 60% of the vote

Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema has been re-elected for a second five-year term after securing 60% of the valid votes cast, the electoral commission announced. His closest challenger, Brian Mundubile, received 38% of the votes. Under Zambia's electoral system, a candidate needs more than 50% of the vote to win in the first round, avoiding a runoff. The result came after a contested process, with Mundubile earlier claiming victory and alleging voting irregularities without evidence. Hichilema, 64, said, "We are truly humbled by the trust you have placed in our hands." He emphasized that the election showed Zambia as a nation of peace, law, and order, and a democratic nation that resolves differences at the ballot box. Supporters of Hichilema's UPND party celebrated in Lusaka. Zambia has a history of peaceful presidential transitions since 1991. The opposition candidate, Mundubile, accused the government of plotting an insurrection, which he denied, while 11 people, including senior opposition figures, were arrested. Mundubile dismissed the accusations as fabrication. A day after polling, the electoral commission briefly suspended counting due to reports of violence and ballot theft, which was later lifted. Observers noted concerns about late electoral reforms, media freedom, and opposition restrictions during the campaign. The EU warned of an uneven contest due to these restrictions.