LIVE: Polls close as Zambia awaits election results
According to the Electoral Commission of Zambia, some 8.79 million people are registered to vote in a low-stakes presidential election. Incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema is expected to grab a second term after today's polls.
LIVE UPDATES
This brings our live coverage of Zambia’s 2026 elections to an end. Zambians now await the outcome of a vote observers have described as peaceful, with provisional results expected on August 14 and final presidential results by August 17. While some voters are backing President Hakainde Hichilema for a second term, others, particularly young voters, are calling for change. Follow Global South World for updates as Zambia waits to learn who will lead the country for the next five years.
20:00GMT: Provisional results to be announced on August 14
19:00GMT: Voting ends, ballot counting begins
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17:30GMT: Litunga Lubosi Imwiko II casts his vote
17:00 GMT: Aspirant dies after casting vote in Mpika South
16:30 GMT: Voting time extended
13:30 GMT: Police recover 22 rounds of ammunition, summon Sean Tembo
12:50 GMT: Senior Chief Ishindi and his Queen, representing the Lunda-speaking people of Zambezi District in North-Western Province, have cast their ballots.
12:30 GMT: Presidential candidate, Kalaba votes
12:20 GMT: Archbishop Alick Banda casts his vote
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12:00 GMT: NRPUP Presidential Candidate Brian Mundubile speaks to the media shortly after casting his vote.
11:36 GMT: Hichilema makes final push for second term
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema made his final appeal to voters in Lusaka on Wednesday, urging them to back him for a second term and cast their ballots peacefully in the general election. Footage shows UPND supporters singing and waving party flags as Hichilema dances on stage before addressing the crowd.
"You can't forget where we came from. We came from a bad place. Do you want peace or do you want fights? If you want peace, vote for UPND," Hichilema said. He also asked voters to support his government’s social programmes and allow his administration to continue its work.
10:30 GMT: Vice President, Muntale Nalumango votes
Vice President Mutale Nalumango says the peaceful atmosphere at polling stations reflects Zambia’s commitment to democracy and peaceful elections.
10:20 GMT: Late Edgar Lungu's daughter votes amidst mourning her father
10:10 GMT: Some Chipata Central polling stations lack voting booths
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10:10 GMT: Citizens complain about inefficiencies at polling grounds
10:00 GMT: Chief Sekute of Kazungula district casting his vote
Zambians are voting in presidential, parliamentary and local elections on Thursday, August 13, with President Hakainde Hichilema seeking a second five-year term. Polling stations opened at 06:00 local time and are due to close at 18:00, according to the Electoral Commission of Zambia. Some 8.79 million people are registered to vote.
Hichilema faces 13 challengers, with Brian Mundubile of the opposition Tonse Alliance regarded as his main rival.
The vote is widely seen as a test of Hichilema’s economic record: his government has restructured Zambia’s debt and overseen an economic recovery, but many voters continue to face high living costs and unemployment.
A presidential candidate must secure more than 50% of the vote to win outright; otherwise, the election goes to a runoff.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
