As we count down to the August 13 general elections, the political temperature in Zambia is reaching a boiling point. With 14 approved presidential candidates on the ballot and the biggest redrawing of our electoral map in democratic history, the stakes have never been higher.
As seasoned citizens—whether we are running tech businesses in Lusaka, managing the daily grind in the markets, or overseeing shifts in the mines of Solwezi, we are watching closely. We are looking past the campaign slogans and rally anthems to ask one simple question: Where are we actually standing as a nation?
Here is a fair, unfiltered look at the state of Zambian politics heading into August.
1. The Macro Wins vs. The Micro Reality
To be fair to the incumbent UPND government under President Hakainde Hichilema, they have secured massive, systemic victories that cannot be ignored. The historic debt restructuring under the G20 framework saved the country from total economic collapse. They successfully passed the Access to Information Act—a milestone for transparency—and stabilized inflation compared to the dark days of the early 2020s.
However, elections are not won on IMF spreadsheets; they are won in the kitchens of ordinary Zambians.
The "macro" wins have not yet fully translated to the "micro" reality. Citizens are still fighting a bruising daily battle against the cost of living, high food prices, and the devastating impacts of irregular electricity access. For the average voter, GDP growth means very little if the power is out and the price of mealie meal is stretching the monthly budget to its breaking point.
2. A Fragmented and Shifting Opposition
If the UPND’s challenge is the economy, the opposition’s challenge is unity.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has approved 14 presidential candidates, highlighting a fiercely competitive but highly fragmented opposition. Following the passing of former President Edgar Lungu and his subsequent disqualification from running prior to his death, the Tonse Alliance has rallied behind Brian Mundubile. Meanwhile, Fred M’membe and the Socialist Party (under the People's Pact) continue to carve out their own fiercely independent lane.
The sheer number of opposition candidates is a double-edged sword. While it proves our democracy is open, it also threatens to split the protest vote. In a two-round electoral system, a divided opposition makes an incumbent's path to victory significantly smoother.
3. The Changing Rulebook
Perhaps the most under-discussed story of the 2026 election is the massive overhaul of our electoral map.
Following the controversial Constitutional Amendment Act No. 13 of 2025, parliament has expanded from 156 to 226 directly elected constituencies. Furthermore, 40 proportional representation seats have been added to ensure the voices of women, youth, and persons with disabilities are heard.
While increased representation for marginalized groups is a massive step forward, the addition of 70 new constituencies has sparked fierce accusations of gerrymandering from the opposition, who claim the new lines unfairly favor ruling-party strongholds. How these new boundaries play out on Election Day will be the ultimate wildcard.
The Verdict: The Power Remains with the People
Zambia is a shining light on the continent. We are one of the few African nations with a proud, unbroken history of peaceful democratic transitions between multiple political parties.
As we approach August 13, we must demand an issues-based campaign. We don't need political violence, and we don't need tribal division. We need clear answers on load shedding, job creation for our youth, and how the wealth of our copper and natural resources will finally trickle down to the citizens who mine it.
The politicians will make their promises, but the final say belongs to the voters. Keep your eyes open, verify what you hear, and show up on August 13. Our democracy depends on it. Written by Puntadmin.