2026 Zambian general election

2026 Zambian general election

← 2021 13 August 2026

Incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema UPND

General elections are due to be held in Zambia on 13 August 2026 to elect a president, members of the national assembly, councillors and council chairs.^[1]

Electoral system

The president is elected via the two-round system.^[2] Of the 167 members of the National Assembly of Zambia, 156 are elected by the first-past-the-post system in single-member constituencies, with a further eight appointed by the president and three others being ex officio members: the vice president, the Speaker and a deputy speaker elected from outside the National Assembly (a second deputy speaker is chosen from among the elected members). The minimum voting age is 18, whilst National Assembly candidates must be at least 21.^[3]

Presidential candidates

The incumbent president, Hakainde Hichilema, received endorsements from some members of the UPND Alliance, including Highvie Hamududu, leader of the Party of National Unity and Progress (in November 2024)^[4] and Nevers Mumba, leader of the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (in October 2024).^[5][6]

References

1. "ECZ releases 2026 election calendar". Zambian Obswerver. 8 August 2024. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
2. Machenheimer, Sabine (9 December 2015). "Closely fought 2016 election would increase localised violence risks and put pressure on Zambia's austerity plans". Janes. Archived from the original on 8 April 2016. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
3. "ZAMBIA (National Assembly), Electoral system". Inter-Parliamentary Union. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
4. "HAMUDUDU declares support for HH in 2026 elections". ZNBC. 24 November 2024.
5. "Nevers endorses HH for 2026 – Daily Revelation News". Retrieved 2025-03-19.
6. "Those trying to mimic UPND Alliance bachepa sana, says HH as Nevers joins". Zambia: News Diggers!. Retrieved 2025-06-10.