The presidential elections in Zambia have been competitive but have led to allegations of fraud. Brian Mundubile — the opposition candidate — received 38 percent of the votes, while the incumbent Hakainde Hichilem was reelected with 60 percent of the votes in the 2026 elections, which the opposition rejected, claiming irregularities. While the incumbent president is preparing to be sworn in for another term, the opposition that decided to file a petition against irregularities is facing difficulties in doing so due to the closure of the courts, leading to political trouble. But how much the political trouble will be resolved in Zambia remains uncertain.
The situation has already become complicated by the killing of an opposition leader and arrests of several leaders amidst the opposition’s rejection of the electoral results and the allegation of election irregularities. Though it is difficult to say how much election irregularities took place, these are difficult to fully disregard. The EU Election Observation Mission report and other reports indicate that many centers did not record the results on tally sheets as soon as these were declared, there was weak verification between digital entries and paper records of the results, there were allegations of bad tabulation in many centers, and there were attacks on several vote tallying centers. These have raised doubts about electoral results in Zambia.
But weakening and restricting opposition before the elections, the returning officers frequent pauses in proceedings, the delay in vote counting, which the Electoral Commission of Zambia cited as due to violence, and barring from filing a petition by closing court premises without citing any valid reason have increased doubts about in electoral results in Zambia. Court premises in Lusaka — the capital of Zambia — were shut as the deadline for filing a petition approaches. But this decision may rather be reflective of the government’s intention not to provide such an opportunity to the opposition. This has furthered doubt on the electoral results and the institutional transparency regarding elections.
The possibility of political movement by the opposition regarding electoral results is probably low at this moment, even if there are allegations of electoral fraud and manipulation, and political deterioration may not be surprising in the future. The opposition parties have not yet indicated so. Moreover, the arrests of several opposition figures after the vote have lowered the chance for organized street demonstrations. But the opposition needs to be given the scope to file a petition against the electoral results. The opposition has the right to file such a petition.
Providing the scope to file a petition will help remove doubts about the electoral outcomes, if there are no notable irregularities, and strengthen the incumbent’s position regarding the electoral outcomes and his win. Moreover, this will help reflect the people’s actual choices if there is electoral fraud and manipulation, and increase people’s confidence in the electoral system of Zambia — which has a long tradition of peaceful voter participation and regular transfers of power. But the just role of the court, which has been increasingly criticized for political interference over the years, will help address the resultant political trouble.
But the government needs to address other electoral concerns. There are restrictions on civic space, online and offline, freedom of expression, and assembly that are directly and indirectly related to electoral outcomes and need to be addressed. Moreover, the treatment of opposition leaders and media personnel needs to be improved, and the use of legislation, such as the Cyber Crimes Act and Cyber Security Act, should aim at ending cyber crimes, not at suppressing dissent.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
