The UPND parliamentary lead has continued to grow as Zambia receives constituency results from the closely watched 2026 general election.
However, the battle for the National Assembly has produced a far more complicated picture than the presidential result alone suggests.
The United Party for National Development has secured several important seats. At the same time, opposition parties and independent candidates have also recorded major victories.
Several defeated NRPUP candidates have rejected their constituency results and accused the ruling party of influencing the counting process.
The UPND denies those accusations and has challenged losing candidates to present evidence through the correct legal channels.
UPND wins tense Matero contest
One of the most closely followed races unfolded in Matero.
UPND candidate Alex Sakala won the seat after receiving 24,129 votes. NRPUP candidate Patrick Salubusa finished second with 18,614 votes.
The result represented a significant victory for the ruling party in a highly competitive constituency.
However, the count also became part of the wider dispute over parliamentary results.
Opposition candidates have questioned figures from several areas and called for independent investigations. They believe irregularities may have affected some constituency outcomes.
Nevertheless, the Electoral Commission of Zambia has continued announcing results from signed constituency records.
Familiar UPND figures return to Parliament
UPND spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa retained the Choma Central parliamentary seat after receiving 18,495 votes.
The party also recorded victories in other parts of the country as it moved towards controlling the new National Assembly.
In Kalomo District, the UPND swept all three parliamentary constituencies and won 19 of the area’s 20 wards.
Additionally, some UPND candidates entered election day having already been declared unopposed after no rivals remained in their constituencies.
Those early victories gave the ruling party an important advantage before most voters had even cast their ballots.
Opposition makes important gains
Despite the UPND lead, the election has not been a complete sweep.
The NRPUP won several seats, particularly in areas where frustration over living costs, unemployment and service delivery remains high.
The party secured victories in constituencies including Chingola Central and Nkana. It also performed strongly in parts of the Copperbelt and Muchinga provinces.
Former politicians have returned to Parliament under opposition party banners, while new candidates have defeated established figures.
Independent candidates have also shown that voters were willing to look beyond the country’s two largest political groupings.
Captain Towani Chipeta won Chasefu North as an independent with 9,698 votes. UPND candidate Victor Muyumba received 4,660 votes.
Her victory demonstrated the power that strong local candidates can still hold, even without the machinery of a major party behind them.
Parliamentary race tells a deeper story
Hakainde Hichilema comfortably defeated Brian Mundubile in the presidential election.
However, parliamentary results reveal a country with more varied political loyalties.
Some voters backed Hichilema for president but chose an opposition or independent parliamentary candidate.
Others remained loyal to one party across every ballot.
That difference matters because members of Parliament directly represent local constituencies. Voters often judge them according to roads, clinics, schools and their visibility in the community.
Therefore, a presidential victory does not automatically guarantee support for every candidate representing the winning party.
Rigging claims could move to the courts
NRPUP candidates who reject their results will need to use Zambia’s election petition process.
The courts can examine ballot records, counting procedures and evidence presented by candidates.
However, accusations alone will not overturn a declared result. Candidates must show that irregularities occurred and materially affected the outcome.
Meanwhile, the UPND says its victories reflect the will of voters.
The disagreement means several constituency battles may continue long after the Electoral Commission completes its announcements.
A powerful Parliament comes with responsibility
The UPND’s growing representation could make it easier for Hichilema to advance his second-term programme.
His government wants to expand the economy, increase copper production, create jobs and continue infrastructure development.
However, a strong parliamentary majority also brings responsibility.
Zambians will expect MPs to provide oversight instead of simply approving every government proposal. Meanwhile, opposition lawmakers will need to offer credible alternatives rather than relying only on protests.
The final parliamentary picture will determine how much resistance the government faces during the next five years.
For now, the UPND remains in front. However, the NRPUP, smaller parties and independent candidates have shown that Zambia’s political contest is far from one-sided.
The presidential race produced one clear winner. The parliamentary election has delivered a much more colourful—and more contentious—story.
