President Hakainde Hichilema has been declared the winner of Zambia’s 2026 presidential election after securing 2,965,326 votes from all 226 constituencies, according to the consolidated results.
Hichilema, the United Party for National Development (UPND) candidate, defeated his closest challenger, Brian Mundubile of the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP), who received 1,856,217 votes.
The result secures Hichilema a second term in office, following his victory in the 2021 presidential election. His latest win gives the UPND another mandate to continue implementing its policies and development programmes over the next five years.
The election attracted widespread national attention as Zambians went to the polls to choose their leaders.
The final presidential figures were announced after results from all 226 constituencies had been accounted for and consolidated.
Following his victory, Hichilema thanked Zambians for renewing their confidence in his leadership.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, the President described the renewed mandate as both an honour and a responsibility, saying he was humbled by the trust placed in him to serve the country for another term.
Hichilema also praised Zambia’s democratic process, describing the election as a demonstration of the country’s commitment to peace, law and order, and democratic governance.
He said political differences should be resolved through the ballot box rather than confrontation or violence, stressing the importance of national unity following a competitive election.
During the campaign, Hichilema said he travelled across all 116 districts of Zambia, visiting urban areas, compounds, villages and farming communities. He said the extensive campaign gave him an opportunity to interact directly with citizens and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges facing communities across the country.
According to the President, concerns raised by citizens during the campaign will remain central to his administration as he begins his second term.
He pledged to work with Zambians to address the challenges facing communities while pursuing development and economic opportunities across the country. He also reached out to citizens who supported opposition parties, assuring them that their concerns had been heard.
Hichilema said his government would continue working to ensure that all Zambians benefit from national development, regardless of which candidate they supported in the election.
The President also reflected on his interactions with children during the campaign, saying those encounters would remain with him as he returned to the responsibilities of the presidency.
He said the next phase of his leadership would focus on building a better Zambia and creating greater opportunities for future generations.
The election result marks another significant milestone in Hichilema’s political career and gives his administration an opportunity to consolidate its programmes while responding to the expectations and concerns of voters across the country.
With the presidential results now consolidated from all 226 constituencies, attention is expected to shift to the priorities of Hichilema’s second administration and how it will deliver on the commitments made during the campaign.
