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Zambia

HH’s poll overkill threatens legitimacy

The ruling party may have jeopardised the country’s democratic reputation but investors seem unperturbed

A consensus is emerging that President Hakainde Hichilema and his ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) panicked during the 13 August election count, fearing they would fall short of the two-thirds parliamentary majority needed to change the constitution. The analysis argues they then stuffed ballots to boost the eventual result, but without great impact. The parallel voter tabulation run by the Christian Churches Monitoring Group concluded that Hichelema had won over 50% of the votes. But it also found that votes had been added in at least 30 constituencies, artificially increasing turnout. ‘They overdid it,’ a political source said. ‘They turned a respectable election win into a harbinger of authoritarianism to come.’ Agitation by UPND ultra-loyalists for a third term for Hichilema is at full tilt despite myriad unresolved questions about the August elections and with at least tens of senior opposition figures in detention.

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