Key issues in Zambia's 2026 general election

Economic recovery, youth turnout, women's representation and judicial independence are among the issues shaping Zambia's vote on Thursday. Zambia 's general election on Thursday will be fought on economic recovery, governance reforms and a sweeping change to the country's parliamentary map. Incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema , leader of the United Party for National Development (UPND), is seeking a second term against 14 opponents. His principal challenger is Brian Mundubile, a former ally of the late President Edgar Lungu , who has surged to the front of a fragmented opposition after being backed by a coalition of rival parties. The Electoral Commission announced in April that 70 new constituencies would be added, raising the number of parliamentary seats from 156 to 226, creating smaller, more local voting districts.

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