Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema secured more than 1.5 million votes from 135 of 226 constituencies counted, putting him on course for an outright victory in the presidential election, the Electoral Commission announced Monday evening in Lusaka [1, 2]. Hichilema, 64, is running for re-election under the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) [1, 2].

His closest challenger, Brian Mundubile, 55, of the opposition National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP), garnered over 1 million votes, about a third of the total counted as of Sunday. With nearly 59% of votes counted in Hichilema’s favor, he is likely to surpass the constitutional threshold of over 50% needed to avoid a runoff [1, 3, 2].

The vote tallying faced disruptions on August 14 when it was suspended for roughly six hours following reports of violence and ballot theft. The European Union’s election observer mission deemed the suspension disproportionate [3]. On election day, a 57-year-old polling agent was killed near Lusaka; police have arrested nine suspects in connection [3].

The opposition alleges armed personnel, thought to be from the Zambian army, raided Mundubile’s home on the night of August 14, injuring a member of parliament and forcibly removing several people whose whereabouts remain unknown. Mundubile called the incident "unsanitary politically" and asked his supporters to avoid retaliation while appealing for urgent regional and international intervention [3]. Zambian authorities had not responded to the allegations at the time of reporting [3].

Hichilema highlighted achievements in his first term since 2021, including restructuring Zambia’s high debt, reviving the mining sector, and expanding social programs like free education in public schools [1, 2]. Meanwhile, Mundubile’s opposition alliance has gained parliamentary seats, particularly in urban areas around Lusaka and the Copperbelt [1, 2].

The Electoral Commission Chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis announced consolidated partial results Monday at the National Election Results Centre in Lusaka around 2130 GMT [1, 2]. Counting continues, with a formal declaration of the winner expected once all results are verified.