2021 General election

2021 Zambian General Election

Zambia
Type	Presidential
Voter turnout	65.3%

The 2021 General elections were held across Zambia on 12 August 2021 to elect the President, the 156 elected members of the National Assembly, and representatives for local government. This election is widely regarded as a watershed moment, marking a decisive democratic transition and the nation's third peaceful alternation of power since the return to multi-party democracy in 1991.

The polls were conducted under an environment of considerable economic strain—characterized by high national debt and increasing cost of living—and the public health challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, the election became a defining contest over the direction of the national economy and the strengthening of democratic institutions.

The presidential contest was a highly competitive affair, primarily featuring the incumbent Edgar Lungu of the Patriotic Front (PF) and the long-serving opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development (UPND). Citizen engagement was evident through a high voter turnout of 70.61%, the highest recorded in a general election since 2006.

The result was a commanding victory for Hakainde Hichilema, who secured 59.02% of the valid votes. This outcome delivered an outright majority in the first round and culminated in a peaceful transfer of power on 24 August 2021. The election result affirmed Zambia's commitment to constitutional democracy and set the country on a new political trajectory.

Electoral System

The 2021 General Election was conducted under the framework of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016 and the Electoral Process Act No. 35 of 2016. The election was managed by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ). Voters across the nation participated in simultaneous elections for the President, the National Assembly, and local government officials.

Presidential Election

The President is elected using the two-round system. To win in the first round, a candidate must secure more than 50% of the valid votes cast. If no candidate achieves this threshold, a second round (run-off) election is held between the top two contenders.

National Assembly

The National Assembly is composed of 167 members, determined as follows:

• 156 Elected Members: Elected directly by voters through the first-past-the-post system in single-member constituencies across the country.
• 8 Appointed Members: Nominated by the President after consultation, adding expertise or ensuring representation.
• 3 Ex-Officio Members: These are the Vice-President, the Speaker, and a Deputy Speaker elected from outside the National Assembly.

To be eligible to vote, a citizen must be at least 18 years of age. Candidates for the National Assembly must be at least 21 years of age.

Candidates

A total of sixteen candidates registered to run for the presidency. The race was expected to be a close race between Edgar Lungu of the Patriotic Front and Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development. Both competed in the 2016 presidential elections, which Lungu won by a margin of 50.35% to 47.63%.

Registered candidates
Presidential candidate		Running mate	Party
1.	Edgar Lungu	Nkandu Luo	Patriotic Front
2.	Enock Tonga	Bright Chomba	3rd Liberation Movement
3.	Sean Enock Tembo	Henry Muleya	Patriots For Economic Progress
4.	Andyford Banda	Gerald Mulao	People’s Alliance For Change
5.	Chishala Kateka	Samuel Kasanka	New Heritage Party
6.	Kasonde Mwenda	Changala Siame	Economic Freedom Fighters
7.	Stephen Nyirenda	Lucy Changwe	National Restoration Party
8.	Lazarus Chisela	Rosemary Chivumba	Zambians United For Sustainable Development
9.	Richard Silumbe	Kaela Kamwenshe	Leadership Movement
10.	Highvie Hamududu	Kasote Singogo	Party of National Unity and Progress
11.	Fred M'membe	Cosmas Musumali	Socialist Party
12.	Harry Kalaba	Judith Kabemba	Democratic Party
13.	Hakainde Hichilema	Mutale Nalumango	United Party for National Development
14.	Nevers Mumba	Reuben Sambo	Movement for Multi-Party Democracy
15.	Charles Chanda	Simon Mbulu	United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia
16.	Trevor Mwamba	John Harawa	United National Independence Party

Campaign

On 15 May 2021 Electoral Commission of Zambia chair Esau Chulu launched the start of the election campaign. However politicians were advised to minimise large crowd gatherings during campaign meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Assembly was dissolved on 12 May by President Edgar Lungu to provide a level playing field in the campaign.However, Lungu remains in office as per constitutional requirements until the new president is elected.

Violence and virus cases rise

On 26 May Lungu launched his own campaign. He also directed the police service and Ministry of Health to ensure enforcement of the COVID-19 pandemic health regulations and guidelines without fear or favour. On 3 June, due to the rise in COVID 19 cases, the Electoral Commission suspended campaign rallies again to avoid large crowds. On 15 June the Electoral Commission banned the Patriotic Front and United Party for National Development from campaigning in Lusaka, Mpulungu, Namwala and Nakonde due to political violence. The Commission also banned all roadshows across the country to curb the transmission of COVID-19. On 1 August Lungu ordered the deployment of the military to help the police fight escalating political violence during the campaign.

Hakainde Hichilema blocked

On 28 July UPND Secretary General Batuke Imenda released a statement that the party was disappointed with government institutions being used by President Lungu to block UPND presidential candidate Hakainde Hichilema from campaigning. On 30 July Hichilema and his campaign team were prevented from entering Chipata and detained on the runway of Chipata Airport. Before Hichilema's arrival in Chipata, police had teargassed his supporters. On 3 August police in Mbala blocked Hichilema and his campaign team from entering the town, with police claiming that he needed a permit to enter.

Conduct

On 12 August during the election day several Twitter users went to the platfom to report that Social media and messaging apps, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp appeared to be shutdown in the country.But internet users are using VPN services to bypass the restrictions on WhatsApp and these other social media platforms. However Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary, Amos Malupenga, denied the reports, calling them “malicious.” He further went on "that the government would not tolerate abuse of the internet and if any mischief occurred, therefore the goverment, expects citizens to use the internet responsibly. But if some people choose to abuse the internet to mislead and misinform, the government will not hesitate to invoke relevant legal provisions to forestall any breakdown of law and order as the country passes through the election period,” Malupenga said. Despite his comment, social media sites are shut down and citizens have resorted to using VPNs.

Preliminary results

President

Candidate		Party	Votes	%
	Hakainde Hichilema	United Party for National Development	2,810,757	59.38
	Edgar Lungu	Patriotic Front	1,814,201	38.33
	Harry Kalaba	Democratic Party	24,879	0.53
	Andyford Banda	People’s Alliance For Change	19,804	0.42
	Fred M'membe	Socialist Party	16,379	0.35
	Highvie Hamududu	Party of National Unity and Progress	10,388	0.22
	Chishala Kateka	New Heritage Party	8,063	0.17
	Charles Chanda	United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia	6,520	0.14
	Lazarus Chisela	Zambians United For Sustainable Development	5,229	0.11
	Nevers Mumba	Movement for Multi-Party Democracy	4,809	0.10
	Enock Tonga	3rd Liberation Movement	3,088	0.07
	Trevor Mwamba	United National Independence Party	2,992	0.06
	Sean Tembo	Patriots For Economic Progress	1,798	0.04
	Stephen Nyirenda	National Restoration Party	1,766	0.04
	Kasonde Mwenda	Economic Freedom Fighters	1,331	0.03
	Richard Silumbe	Leadership Movement	1,283	0.03
Total			4,733,287	100.00
Valid votes			4,733,287	97.43
Invalid/blank votes			124,906	2.57
Total votes			4,858,193	100.00
Registered voters/turnout			7,023,499	69.17
Source: ECZ (155 out of 156 constituencies reporting)

Reactions

Domestic

• On 14 August Lungu the incumbent president declared the elections "not free and fair" pointing to the violence that happed in three provinces during election day when two members were murdered and supporters are in hiding he also added that the governing party polling agents were brutalized and chased from polling stations a situation that left the ruling party votes unprotected.

International

• European Union: On 14 August the EU Chief observer published a Press Release only commenting on observation undertaken up until the 14th of August. Maria Arena the Chief observer Said the election was largely calm and well-administered despite long queues, which shows the devotion of Zambians to exercise their right to vote, however concerning the campaign, the Chief Observer noted that the campaigns took place in a highly competitive environment adding that selective application of laws and regulations, misuse of state resources and one-sided media reporting meant that a level playing field was not achieved.