More than eight million Zambians are voting in an election that could give President Hakainde Hichilema another five years in office, but high living costs, unemployment and concerns over political freedoms have made the contest difficult to predict.
Zambians are voting to choose a president and parliament, with polling stations opening at 06:00 local time and due to close at 18:00.
Fourteen candidates are on the presidential ballot, although the race is largely seen as a contest between incumbent Hakainde Hichilema and his main challenger, Brian Mundubile.
Hichilema, 64, is seeking a second term after winning the 2021 election on his sixth attempt. He is campaigning on job creation, economic recovery and an ambitious infrastructure programme.
But for many voters, the country’s economic progress has not eased the pressure of everyday life.
Unemployment and the rising cost of living remain major concerns, with some voters questioning whether improvements in economic indicators have translated into better living standards.
Mwiche Nalupumbwe, 26, was among voters who arrived early at a polling station.
“Zambians are frustrated, and this election is a 50-50; that is why we are all here early to make the change,” he told AFP.
Others remain firmly behind the president.
James Phiri, a 29-year-old student at the University of Zambia, said he voted for Hichilema because “he cares about us”.
He pointed to the reintroduction of meal allowances, saying: “Things are better.”
Samuel Chitendwe, a 47-year-old welder and father of four, disagreed.
“I have just come from firing someone. We are tired of stories about economic progress,” he said after voting for Mundubile.
Mundubile is a former minister in the Patriotic Front government that ruled Zambia from 2011 to 2021. His campaign has also benefited from support among followers of former President Edgar Lungu.
Lungu’s death more than a year ago has continued to shape the campaign. His body remains unburied in South Africa amid a bitter dispute between his family and Hichilema, deepening political divisions.
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The election is also being watched closely because of concerns over political freedoms and Zambia’s democratic institutions.
A presidential candidate needs more than 50% of the vote to win outright. If nobody reaches that mark, a run-off must be held within 37 days.
For voters, the choice now comes down to whether Hichilema deserves more time or whether the opposition can offer the change they say Zambia needs.
