2021 Zambian general election

On 26 May Lungu launched his own campaign. He also directed the police service and Ministry of Health to ensure enforcement of the COVID-19 pandemic health regulations and guidelines without fear or favour.[16] On 3 June, due to the rise in COVID-19 cases, the Electoral Commission suspended campaign rallies again to avoid large crowds.[17] On 15 June, the Electoral Commission banned the Patriotic Front and United Party for National Development from campaigning in Lusaka, Mpulungu, Namwala and Nakonde due to political violence. The Commission also banned all roadshows across the country to curb the transmission of COVID-19.[18] On 1 August Lungu ordered the deployment of the military to help the police fight escalating political violence during the campaign.[19][20]

On 28 July UPND Secretary General Batuke Imenda released a statement that the party was disappointed with government institutions being used by President Lungu to block UPND presidential candidate Hakainde Hichilema from campaigning.[21] On 30 July, Hichilema and his campaign team were prevented from entering Chipata and detained on the runway of Chipata Airport. Before Hichilema's arrival in Chipata, police had teargassed his supporters.[22] On 3 August, police in Mbala blocked Hichilema and his campaign team from entering the town, with police claiming that he needed a permit to enter.[23][24]

Hichilema heavily criticised Lungu, claiming he had used state power to interfere with the elections.[25] In a campaign video, Hichilema portrayed Lungu as a morally corrupt individual with a history of monetary mismanagement, while portraying himself as fiscally responsible.[26]

The election in Kaumbwe constituency did not take place on 12 August due to the death of the UPND candidate and was postponed until 21 October 2021.[33]

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	United Party for National Development	2,230,324	46.22	82	+24
	Patriotic Front	1,722,718	35.70	60	–20
	Socialist Party	61,325	1.27	0	New
	Democratic Party	50,886	1.05	0	0
	People's Alliance for Change	20,227	0.42	0	0
	Party of National Unity and Progress	13,178	0.27	1	+1
	United National Independence Party	12,742	0.26	0	0
	Forum for Democracy and Development	4,006	0.08	0	–1
	National Democratic Congress	3,807	0.08	0	New
	Movement for Multi-Party Democracy	3,665	0.08	0	–3
	Leadership Movement	3,585	0.07	0	New
	Christian Democratic Party	3,471	0.07	0	New
	New Heritage Party	1,762	0.04	0	0
	Golden Party Zambia	858	0.02	0	New
	National Restoration Party	664	0.01	0	0
	Zambians United for Sustainable Development	554	0.01	0	New
	Green Party of Zambia	499	0.01	0	0
	United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia	309	0.01	0	New
	Movement for Democratic Change	306	0.01	0	New
	Patriots for Economic Progress	232	0.00	0	New
	Economic Freedom Fighters	104	0.00	0	0
	Independents	690,418	14.31	13	–1
Appointed and ex-officio				11	–
Total		4,825,640	100.00	167	0
Valid votes		4,825,640	97.74
Invalid/blank votes		111,726	2.26
Total votes		4,937,366	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		7,023,499	70.30
Source: ECZ, ECZ, ECZ (Kaumbwe const.)

• On 14 August Edgar Lungu, the incumbent president, declared the elections "not free and fair"[34] and stated they should therefore be nullified.[35] He was pointing to the violence that happened in three provinces during election day when two members were murdered and PF supporters went into hiding.[36] He also added that the governing party polling agents were brutalized and chased from polling stations, a situation that left the ruling party votes unprotected.[37][38] On 16 August Edgar Lungu and the Patriotic Front conceded and accepted defeat, sending a letter and congratulating president-elect Hichilema.[4][3] Lungu also conceded in a televised statement, "I would like to congratulate my brother Hakainde Hichilema for being elected as the 7th president of mother Zambia".[39]

•  European Union: On 14 August the EU Chief observer published a Press Release only commenting on observation undertaken up until the 14th of August.[40] Maria Arena, the Chief Observer, said the election was largely calm and well-administered despite long queues, which shows the devotion of Zambians to exercise their right to vote; however, concerning the campaign, the Chief Observer noted that the campaigns took place in a highly competitive environment, adding that selective application of laws and regulations, misuse of state resources and one-sided media reporting meant that a level playing field was not achieved.[41] The EU EOM is yet to publish its final report, with recommendations for improving the electoral framework for future elections.[40]
•  African Union: On 14 August the head of the African Union's observer mission, Ernest Bai Koroma said that voting "operations were conducted in a peaceful, transparent and professional manner".[42]
•  Nigeria: Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari congratulated President-elect Hakainde Hichilema on his victory. He also commended incumbent president Edgar Lungu for accepting the outcome of the election and a peaceful transfer of power, "noting that this patriotic disposition deserves the praise of all lovers of democracy."[43]
•  Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe's main opposition leader Nelson Chamisa congratulated Hichilema's victory, "I’m so humbled and excited to have received a call and personally congratulated my brother and President-elect Hichilema".[44]
•  Uganda: Forum for Democratic Change Deputy secretary general Harold Kaija congratulated Hichilema's upon his victory over the incumbent president Edgar Lungu.[45]
•  South Africa: Both president Cyril Ramaphosa and main opposition leader John Steenhuisen congratulated Hichilema's victory.[46]