Zambian president accepts official nomination for August elections

Written by Ziad Abdel Fattah:

Before President Haakend HechilemaZambia’s president has officially been nominated for re-election in the general elections scheduled for August 13, pledging to continue serving the people of Zambia based on the principles of unity, development and peace.

In a statement he made after successfully submitting his nomination papers at the Mulungushi International Convention Center, President Hichilema said that he and his deputy, Mutali Nalumango, accepted the nomination with responsibility and gratitude.

President Hichilema said: “I, Hakainde Hichilema, and my deputy stand here to accept the formal nomination with responsibility and gratitude to serve the people of Zambia.”.

Hichilema: We are working to achieve a vision of a united Zambia

The President affirmed that his administration will continue to strive for a unified, inclusive, and prosperous Zambia, where every citizen has an equal opportunity to succeed regardless of their background.

He stressed that peace remains sacred, and warned that if it is lost, it is difficult to regain.

President Hichilema urged citizens to embrace peace, dialogue, and unity ahead of the elections.

He said: “We must choose peace over hatred, and dialogue over protests.”.

President Hichilema noted that Zambia has remained a beacon of peace since independence, and expressed his confidence that the country will continue to overcome challenges through unity and wise leadership.

The president said his administration had restored the rule of law after years of violence under previous regimes.

He added that Zambia’s international image has improved significantly thanks to responsible leadership and good governance.

Zambian children demand peaceful elections

In addition, children from across Zambia formally presented the National Children’s Manifesto to representatives of 34 political parties ahead of the general elections scheduled for August 13, 2026, calling for peaceful, inclusive, and child-centered elections that protect and promote the rights of every child.

The high-level stakeholder engagement dialogue, convened by the Zambia Centre for Inter-Party Dialogue (ZCID) in collaboration with the Joint Forces Alliance (JFA), brought together representatives of children, political party leaders, outgoing members of parliament, civil society organizations and development partners to amplify children’s voices in the democratic process.

Last Monday, nominations began for presidential candidates in Zambia's 2026 general election, marking a major milestone in the run-up to the August 13 election.

Zambia's electoral commission announced that it is fully prepared for the process, with observers, media personnel and political party officials already being accredited.

Access to the nomination center will be strictly controlled, and the process will continue until May 22.

The launch of nominations officially paves the way for Zambia to hold elections that will choose a president, members of parliament, and local government leaders.

These polls come amid increased political activity and growing public debate about economic reforms, governance, and service delivery.