Zambia votes under shadow of late former President Lungu

Zambians went to the polls in a presidential election haunted by the legacy of a deceased predecessor. President Hakainde Hichilema, 64, is running for a second term after defeating his longtime rival Edgar Lungu by a large margin in 2021.

The feud between the two politicians, their families, and their supporters has dominated Zambian politics so deeply that the dispute continued even after Lungu died in South Africa in June 2025.

The Zambian government filed a court application to prevent Lungu's family from arranging the funeral as they wished, as they did not want Hichilema to preside over a state ceremony. In June, South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal ruled in favor of Lungu's family, reversing an earlier High Court decision that had sided with the government.

In this election, Hichilema faces the opposition Tonse Alliance led by Brian Mundubile, 55, who served as government chief whip under Lungu. Mundubile's running mate, Makebi Zulu, was a spokesperson for the late President Lungu's family in the burial dispute. During the campaign, the pair promised to bring Lungu's remains back to Zambia for a dignified funeral.

How the dead are treated matters greatly in Zambia, according to Christopher Vandome, senior research fellow at Chatham House. He said: "Even Hichilema's supporters want to see respect for the deceased. When things get messy, it just makes the incumbent look disrespectful."

Lungu's shadow also looms over Tonse Alliance allegations that Hichilema has used heavy-handed tactics during the campaign, including raiding their offices and detaining 36 members of Mundubile's team.

Hichilema's side flatly denies the accusations, pointing to how Lungu treated Hichilema in the previous election. A spokesperson for the ruling United Party for National Development said: "Zambians know what repression is. In 2021, the opposition leader was arrested 15 times, Prime TV and The Post newspaper were shut down, and on election day, the internet was cut. Today, the opposition campaigns freely across all 10 provinces, no media outlets are closed, and the airwaves are open."

Monitors from Transparency International Zambia have recorded police disruptions of opposition rallies. Coordinator Tamika Halwiindi said police often cite safety reasons to block the opposition and independent candidates, tilting the field toward the ruling party.

During Hichilema's tenure, activists have also reported peaceful protests being dispersed. Mputa Ngalande of the Alliance Against Inequality recounted being detained for over 12 hours in July 2024 while protesting the state power utility during blackouts lasting 22 hours a day.

Vandome said: "Hichilema's chances of winning are very high. But it is his own experience of the complexities of Zambian elections that has made him insecure, working against him and damaging his image unnecessarily."

Zambia's economy has stabilized since the 2020 debt crisis when the country defaulted under Lungu. Annual inflation now stands at 6.5%, down from 24.6% in July 2021. The government has made primary and secondary education free since 2022. Zambia has also attracted more international investment due to its large copper reserves, a key material for green technology.

Earlier this month, Hichilema — known by his initials HH and nickname Bally (slang for an elder) — announced a 50% increase in university student accommodation allowances effective immediately, drawing cheers from student crowds.

However, the cost of living could still count against Hichilema in an election with nearly 8.8 million registered voters, who are also choosing lawmakers and local councils. Per capita income rose from $1,127 to $1,318 between 2021 and 2025, according to World Bank data. But prices nearly doubled over the same period.

Ngalande said: "What people are asking is: If the economy is good, why aren't we feeling it at the grassroots? Because out there, it's hard to get three meals a day."