Lungu battles to hold power in Zambia election

President Edgar Lungu.

Zambia goes to the polls on Thursday following a fractious and sporadically violent campaign, with President Edgar Lungu fighting to stay in power after narrowly winning a snap election last year.

Lungu, who secured the presidency by less than 28 000 votes after his predecessor died of an undisclosed illness, took office as economic growth has fallen sharply.

His main rival Hakainde Hichilema, a wealthy businessman who alleges that fraud denied him victory in 2015, has launched a determined bid to secure power at his fifth attempt.


Supporters of Lungu's Patriotic Front (PF) and Hichilema's United Party for National Development (UPND) have repeatedly clashed, forcing a 10-day halt to campaigning in the capital Lusaka last month.

Lungu has taken a hard line at election rallies, issuing threats against any activists involved in unrest in a country that has enjoyed relative political stability in recent decades.

"If they push me against the wall, I will sacrifice democracy for peace," Lungu told a recent meeting in Copperbelt province, a key election battleground. "If it means using draconian measures... I will apply them."

With the vote outcome hanging in the balance, Lungu has been accused of trying to suppress opposition campaigning.