赞比亚总统哈基翁德·希奇莱玛正在寻求连任，面临由反对党领袖布里恩·蒙杜比莱率领的Tonse Alliance联盟的挑战[1]。已故前总统伦古与希奇莱玛之间的长期政治对立继续主导本次选举进程[1]。伦古于2025年6月在南非去世后，赞比亚政府曾试图通过法院阻止伦古家族举办葬礼，但2025年6月南非最高上诉法院裁定支持伦古家族[1]。
希奇莱玛在2021年以压倒性优势击败伦古[1]。蒙杜比莱曾在伦古执政时期担任政府首席党鞭[1]，其副手马克比·祖鲁在伦古葬礼争议期间充当了伦古家族的发言人[1]。透明国际赞比亚监测到警方对反对党集会存在干扰行为[1]，但希奇莱玛团队否认了专制指控[1]。
在经济政策方面，希奇莱玛团队强调稳定成效[1]。2020年伦古执政期间赞比亚因债务违约触发经济危机[1]。随后通胀大幅下降，从2021年7月的24.6%降至6.5%[1]。希奇莱玛于2022年实现中小学教育免费[1]。然而，2021年至2025年间，平均年收入虽从1,127美元上升至1,318美元[1]，但同期物价几乎翻倍[1]。本次大选有880万注册选民参与[1]。
President Hakainde Hichilema is seeking re-election while facing a challenge from the opposition Tonse Alliance, with lingering political tensions stemming from his long-standing conflict with deceased former president continuing to shape the electoral landscape.[1] Hichilema decisively defeated the former leader in 2021, but the death in South Africa in June 2025 has reignited controversies, including a protracted legal dispute over funeral arrangements.[1] The Zambian government attempted to block the family from holding funeral proceedings through the courts, though South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal ruled in favor of the family in June 2025.[1]
Opposition leader Brian Mundubile, who served as government chief whip during the former president's administration, now leads the Tonse Alliance against the incumbent.[1] Local monitoring organizations have documented what they characterize as police interference with opposition rallies, though Hichilema's team rejects accusations of authoritarianism and points to economic improvements.[1] Inflation has declined from 24.6 percent in July 2021 to 6.5 percent, and Hichilema implemented free primary and secondary education in 2022.[1] However, average annual income rose only modestly from $1,127 to $1,318 between 2021 and 2025, while prices nearly doubled over the same period.[1] Approximately 8.8 million voters are registered to participate in the election.[1]