Zambia headed into Thursday’s election with President Hakainde Hichilema heavily favored to win a second term, but the political legacy of his late rival, Edgar Lungu, has become an unexpected campaign force. Lungu’s death in June 2025 did not end their feud, with a bitter dispute over his burial casting Hichilema as disrespectful in the eyes of some voters. Opposition candidate Brian Mundubile has embraced Lungu’s legacy, promising to bring the former president’s body home. His alliance has also accused the government of suppressing opposition activity. Hichilema rejects those claims, pointing to greater political freedoms than under Lungu. Economically, his government has delivered lower inflation, free education, and stronger investment prospects, particularly around copper. Yet rising living costs mean many voters have not felt the recovery. The election therefore pits macroeconomic gains against everyday hardship, with the Lungu dispute also shaping perceptions of Hichilema’s leadership.