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Electoral Commission Declares Hichilema Winner With 60.49%

8/26/2026

Summary

Hichilema Wins

Electoral Commission declared President Hakainde Hichilema winner of the August 13 election, to be inaugurated September 1, 2026.
Hichilema earned 2,965,326 votes (60.49%) versus challenger Brian Mundubile’s 1,856,217 votes (37.87%).
Mundubile pledged a court challenge, but High Courts closed from August 24, ending the filing window on August 25.
EU observers called the vote largely peaceful but warned of heavy military presence at tally centres and weak verification.

Summary

Imataa Shuts Courts

Chief administrator Nalishebo Imataa signed a memo ordering court staff not to report on August 24.
Police and military officers patrolled Supreme Court and Constitutional Court gates, blocking public entry.
Spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi said security assessments were ongoing but gave no further details.
Former Law Society president Linda Kasonde called the nationwide judiciary shutdown completely unprecedented.

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Hichilema Wins

Electoral Commission declared President Hakainde Hichilema winner of the August 13 election, to be inaugurated September 1, 2026.
Hichilema earned 2,965,326 votes (60.49%) versus challenger Brian Mundubile’s 1,856,217 votes (37.87%).
Mundubile pledged a court challenge, but High Courts closed from August 24, ending the filing window on August 25.
EU observers called the vote largely peaceful but warned of heavy military presence at tally centres and weak verification.

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