Zambia Election: 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.

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"Your vote will help us to continue with the work we've been doing. Your vote will help us secure your social cash transfer. We've added more money to the social cash transfer to better your lives," he added.

Nearly 8.8 million Zambians were registered to vote on Thursday, with Hichilema seeking a second five-year term.

He faces 13 challengers, with Tonse Alliance candidate Brian Mundubile seen as his strongest opponent. A candidate needs more than 50 percent of valid votes to avoid a run-off.

Polls opened at 06:00 local time (04:00 GMT) on Thursday and are due to close at 18:00 (16:00 GMT).

Hichilema has focused heavily on his economic record during the campaign. Zambia became Africa's first pandemic-era sovereign defaulter in 2020.

Under his government, restructuring agreements have been reached covering about 94 percent of the targeted debt, while inflation fell to 6.8 percent in April.

The IMF said Zambia had made "substantial progress" in stabilising its economy but cut its 2026 growth forecast to 4.3 percent, citing weaker mining output, energy constraints and other pressures.

Mundubile has argued that the economic recovery has not eased pressure on households still dealing with high food and energy costs.

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Consumer prices were 6.5 percent higher in July than a year earlier, including a 6.4 percent increase in food prices.

The World Bank said in April that Zambia needed more inclusive growth and jobs, particularly for its growing young population.