Tonse Alliance
| Zambia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | general |
| Year | 2026 |
| Date | 13 August 2026 |
| Seats up for election | 156 (National Assembly) |
| Electoral system | Two-round system (Presidential) and First-past-the-post voting (National Assembly) |
| Previous election | 2021 General Election |
| Incumbent party | United Party for National Development (UPND) |
| Incumbent leader | Hakainde Hichilema |
| In office since | 2021 |
| Challenger party | Patriotic Front (PF) |
| Challenger leader | To be determined (TBD) |
| Last challenger | Edgar Lungu |
The 2026 General Election is scheduled for 13 August 2026 to elect the President, members of the National Assembly of Zambia, as well as local government councillors and council chairs. This election is significant as the United Party for National Development (UPND) seeks a second term in office.
Electoral System
The elections for the Presidency and National Assembly use separate systems:
- President: The President is elected through the Two-round system. A candidate must secure more than 50% of valid votes to win in the first round. If no candidate meets this threshold, a second-round runoff occurs between the top two candidates.
- National Assembly: Of 167 members, 156 are elected via first-past-the-post in single-member constituencies. The President appoints eight members, while three others are ex officio (Vice President, Speaker, and a deputy speaker elected externally).
The minimum voting age is 18 years. National Assembly candidates must be at least 21 years old. The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) supervises all election processes.
Presidential Candidates and Campaigns
The main contest is expected between the ruling UPND and the main opposition Patriotic Front (PF).
United Party for National Development (UPND)
- Candidate: Hakainde Hichilema (incumbent President)
- Endorsements: Early support from allies including the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) and the Party of National Unity and Progress (PNUP).
Patriotic Front (PF)
The PF is undergoing leadership restructuring following the death of former President Edgar Lungu. The new leader will be the PF’s presidential candidate.
- Candidate: To be determined at the 2025 PF Presidential Convention. Candidates include Given Lubinda, Chishimba Kambwili, and Brian Mundubile.
Other Parties and Aspirants
Other parties and independents expected to contest:
- Socialist Party (SP)
- Democratic Party (DP)
Key Issues
Key national issues likely to dominate the campaign include:
- Economic recovery and national debt management
- Cost of living, including food and fuel prices
- Governance, judicial independence, and anti-corruption measures
Constituent parties
The Tonse Alliance is currently composed of the following political parties:
| Party | Abbreviation | Ideology | National Assembly of Zambia |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Congress Party | NCP | 1 / 156
| |
| Patriotic Front | PF | Socialism | 56 / 156
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| Patriots for Economic Progress | PEP | 0 / 156
| |
| Forum for Democracy and Development | FDD | Democracy | 0 / 156
|
| Zambia Must Prosper | ZMP | 0 / 156
| |
| Christian Democratic Party | CDP | Democracy | 0 / 156
|
| Zambia Republican Party | ZRP | Progressivism | 0 / 156
|
| New Era Democratic Party | NEDP | Democracy | 0 / 156
|
| ALL Peoples Congress Party | APC | Democracy | 0 / 156
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