Hichilema, who was elected in 2021, will face Brian Mundubile, a first-time presidential contender running under the hastily organized coalition of opposition partners following the split of the former ruling party. Economic concerns are taking center stage for voters who are measuring Hichilema’s macro achievements — including the $13 billion default era debt — against everyday financial reality. ADZambia’s concurrent voting system allows voters to cast separate ballots for the presidency and the parliament, creating the possibility of split-ticket voting. “The parliamentary election is where we’re likely to see a shift,” said Marisa Lourenco, an independent risk adviser in Johannesburg. “If the ruling party fails to secure a majority, the presidency will need to negotiate with opposition parties, which could slow policy implementation.”