Africa in Focus with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa

The National Briefing · Aug 13, 2026 · 7m

Zambia decides today, and the key questions are contenders, system integrity, and outcome. The 2026 election will be held in the context of a recent constitutional amendment that increased the number of parliamentary constituencies from 156 to 226 and created 40 reserved seats for women, youth, and persons with disabilities. The incumbent, Hichilema, is likely to be re-elected for a second term, and his party might return with dominant control of the legislature, as the main opposition has failed to field candidates in nearly one-third of parliamentary seats, and the ruling party already has…