Key facts
- President Hakainde Hichilema leads Zambia's presidential election vote count.
- Hichilema has secured 54.82% of the declared votes.
- Main challenger Brian Mundubile has 43% of the declared votes.
- 105 out of 226 constituencies have been announced.
- Vote counting was temporarily halted due to violence and ballot theft.
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema is leading the ongoing presidential election vote count, with the Electoral Commission of Zambia reporting him well ahead after nearly half of the constituencies were declared. Hichilema has secured 54.82% of the votes counted so far, totaling 1,056,812, which puts him on track for re-election without a second-round runoff if he maintains this majority. His primary opponent, Brian Mundubile, trails with 43% of the declared votes, amounting to 830,841. The election, held alongside parliamentary and local polls, is viewed as a referendum on Hichilema's economic performance since a pandemic-era debt crisis. Vote counting was temporarily suspended on Friday due to reported violence against officials and ballot theft. Police have denied opposition claims that Mundubile was arrested.