2026 Zambian general election

2026 Zambian general election

←  2021 13 August 2026

Presidential election

Candidate Hakainde Hichilema Fred M'membe Party UPND Socialist Alliance UPND 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] and Ezra Ngulube, leader of the National Restoration Party. ^[8]

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. ^[9]

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%. ^{[10] [11]}

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. 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.
10. "Hichilema Would Win 60% of Vote if Election Held Today, New Poll Shows". Lusaka Times. 31 December 2025. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
11. "Opinion poll shows President Hakainde Hichilema headed for victory in 2026". mwebantu. 31 December 2025. Retrieved 3 January 2026.