Campaigning has officially ended in Zambia ahead of Thursday’s general election, with an estimated 8.7 million registered voters set to head to the polls to elect the country’s next president, members of parliament and local government representatives.
The close of the campaign period marks the beginning of the mandatory pre-election silence, during which political parties and candidates are prohibited from holding rallies or engaging in campaign activities before voting begins.
The election is expected to be closely contested, with President Hakainde Hichilema seeking another term in office amid a competitive race that has focused on the economy, job creation, the cost of living, healthcare and infrastructure development.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) said preparations for the nationwide vote have been completed, with polling materials distributed across the country and election officials deployed to thousands of polling stations.
Security agencies have also increased their presence to maintain peace during the voting period. Authorities have urged political parties and supporters to remain calm, respect electoral laws and allow the democratic process to proceed peacefully.
Regional and international observer missions, including teams from the African Union, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Commonwealth, are monitoring the election to assess whether it meets democratic standards.
The outcome of the vote will be closely watched across southern Africa, with analysts viewing it as an important test of Zambia’s democratic institutions and electoral credibility.
Polling stations are expected to open early on Thursday, after which vote counting will begin. The Electoral Commission has urged citizens to exercise their right to vote peacefully and wait for official results rather than relying on unofficial tallies or social media speculation.
The election will determine Zambia’s political direction for the next five years, with the winning candidates expected to face significant challenges, including sustaining economic growth, reducing unemployment and managing public debt while strengthening public services.
