Analysts say the result of the closely fought election will set the tone for investment in a nation where more than half of its 17 million people live in poverty.
Zambia's incumbent President Edgar Lungu faces what is expected to be a close vote against challenger Hakainde Hichilema.LUSAKA - Zambians will decide Thursday whether to re-elect President Edgar Lungu after the country's worst economic performance in decades and a crackdown on dissent that has raised fears of unrest.
Hichilema has already narrowly lost to Lungu twice: in a 2015 by-election after the death of ex-president Michael Sata and then in general polls the following year. His Patriotic Front party spokesman Antonio Mwanza, claimed Tuesday that the opposition"is using violence" to"undermine the electoral process" and to intimidate people so they do not turn out in numbers to cast ballots.
Surveys suggest economic hardship has eroded support for Lungu, accused of borrowing unsustainably to finance flashy infrastructure projects, as living costs soared.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Zambia's Hichilema: 'Cattle boy' eyes presidency for sixth timeHakainde Hichilema, who describes himself as an ordinary 'cattle boy,' is a wealthy businessman who is running for the Zambian presidency for the sixth time.
Read more »
Women's Day: Paying tribute to 65 years of struggleAt the time, women were labelled as politically immature, a stereotype that was broken on 9 August 1956.
Read more »
JSE firms as global markets struggle for directionInvestors grapple with better-than-expected US jobs data and Delta variant of coronavirus
Read more »
NEVA MAKGETLA: Finding the new normal in the economyThe pandemic demands that we tackle structural problems to sustainably reduce inequality
Read more »
NEVA MAKGETLA: Finding the new normal in the economyThe pandemic demands that we tackle structural problems to sustainably reduce inequality
Read more »
Top court lacks power to allow IEC to postpone polls, says CasacAmendment of constitution required, which can only be effected by parliament
Read more »