Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Zambian Opposition Leader Challenges Election Result Over Alleged Fraud
Zambia held a presidential election on August 13.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia said Hakainde Hichilema won about 60% of the vote.
Brian Mundubile received about 38% and says the result was not fair.
He plans to ask a court to review the election.
His campaign says it found problems with voting, counting and reporting results.
European Union observers also reported concerns about how some results were recorded and counted.
Counting was stopped for hours after reports of violence against election workers and stolen ballots.
Authorities arrested 11 people after a raid involving gunfire.
A United Nations official urged authorities to protect the rights of people who were detained.
Brian Mundubile said he would challenge Zambia’s presidential election result in court, alleging vote fraud.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia declared President Hakainde Hichilema the winner with about 60% of the vote, compared with 38% for Mundubile.
Mundubile alleged irregularities in the conduct, counting, transmission and declaration of results.
An EU observer mission cited transparency concerns, including delayed result recording and extended tabulation breaks in almost half of its observations.
Authorities arrested 11 people after a raid involving gunfire, while the United Nations expressed concern about opposition arrests and due-process rights.
- Who
- Opposition leader Brian Mundubile, President Hakainde Hichilema, Zambia’s electoral authorities, EU observers and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.
- What
- Mundubile said he would file a court challenge alleging fraud and irregularities in the presidential election.
- When
- The election was held on August 13, Hichilema was declared the winner on Tuesday, and Mundubile announced the challenge on August 19. One report said counting was suspended on Friday.
- Where
- Zambia, including Lusaka and sites where ballots were gathered and counted.
- Why
- Mundubile cited alleged problems with the conduct, counting, transmission and declaration of results; EU observers separately raised transparency concerns.
Mundubile and Election Critics
Declared Result and Authorities
Validity of the election result
Mundubile and Election Critics
Mundubile said his campaign documented serious irregularities and inconsistencies involving the conduct, counting, transmission and declaration of results, and alleged vote fraud.
Declared Result and Authorities
The Electoral Commission of Zambia declared Hakainde Hichilema the winner with about 60% of the vote, compared with 38% for Mundubile. A spokesperson for Hichilema and the electoral commission were not immediately available for comment.
Transparency of vote counting
Mundubile and Election Critics
The EU observer mission reported that many polling-centre staff failed to record results immediately and that returning officers appeared to wait for instructions before announcing results.
Declared Result and Authorities
The reports do not include a substantive response from Hichilema’s spokesperson or the Electoral Commission of Zambia to the EU mission’s concerns.
Arrests and security measures
Mundubile and Election Critics
The United Nations expressed concern about reports of opposition arrests and detentions, while Mundubile said he was under protection because of threats.
Declared Result and Authorities
Authorities arrested 11 people after a raid involving an exchange of gunfire; the reports do not provide the authorities’ explanation for the arrests.
- Election date
- August 13
- Declared winner
- President Hakainde Hichilema
- Vote shares
- About 60% for Hichilema and 38% for Mundubile
- Legal challenge
- Mundubile said he would contest the result in court
- EU concerns
- Observers said many polling staff did not immediately record announced results, and reported extended tabulation breaks in almost half of observations
- Counting disruption
- Counting was suspended for hours after reports of violence against polling staff and stolen ballot papers
- Arrests
- Authorities arrested 11 people, including leading opposition figures, in a raid involving an exchange of gunfire
- UN response
- Volker Türk urged authorities to stop arbitrary arrests and uphold due-process rights