Zambia is gearing up for a high-stakes general election on August 13, with the Electoral Commission confirming 14 presidential candidates cleared to contest. Incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema is seeking a second term under the United Party for National Development, facing a notably fragmented opposition field that includes Socialist Party leader Fred M’membe, Citizens First’s Harry Kalaba, and businessman Kelvin Fube Bwalya, popularly known as KBF.
Political analysts say the splintered opposition vote could actually work in Hichilema’s favour, with recent polls putting his support above 50% — enough for a first-round win without a runoff. Opposition figures, meanwhile, are crying foul over Zambia’s newly redrawn constituency map, which added 70 seats and which critics allege was drawn to favour the ruling party’s strongholds.
It hasn’t all been policy debates, either — the campaign trail has taken some wonderfully petty turns online, with public spats over campaign poster vandalism, rival camps trading insults, and even commentary questioning candidates’ looks making the rounds on Zambian social media. Whatever happens on August 13, this is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched — and most entertaining — elections on the continent this year.
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