Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema is set to be sworn in for a second five-year term on Tuesday, following a disputed election and the arrest of his main challenger on treason charges.
Hichilema secured about 60% of the vote in the 13 August presidential election, according to official results, while opposition candidate Brian Mundubile polled 38%.
Mundubile rejected the outcome, alleging that the election results had been manipulated. He was, however, unable to mount a legal challenge after courts were sealed off on the final day for filing an election petition.
Although election day was largely peaceful, international observers raised concerns about the vote-counting and verification process.
European Union observers said officials at several tallying centres failed to immediately record announced results on official tally sheets. They also highlighted weak verification between digital results and paper records.
The observers further reported that returning officers frequently suspended the tallying process while waiting for instructions from electoral headquarters.
The controversy deepened the day after the election when security forces raided a property in Lusaka linked to Mundubile.
The operation resulted in the death of a former cabinet minister and the arrest of several opposition politicians.
Hichilema, who came to power promising economic reforms, has been credited by supporters with helping to stabilise Zambia’s economy.
His second inauguration now comes amid concerns from opposition groups and election observers over the credibility of the electoral process and the treatment of political opponents.
The president is expected to begin his second five-year term as questions remain over the disputed election and the government’s handling of dissent.
