Up to 8.7 million voters -- a majority of them women -- will decide whether Hichilema's economic reforms deserve another term or whether the opposition can turn widespread discontent into a comeback. His victory marked a rare peaceful transfer of power to an opposition party through the ballot box in Africa. Chinese companies are major players in the mining sector, underscoring Beijing's outsized economic influence in the country. Until the opposition coalesced behind Mundubile, re-election had looked all but certain for the 64-year-old Hichilema, widely known as "HH". The vote will also test Zambia's reputation for political stability amid growing concerns over restrictions on dissent and a narrowing political space.