Zambians participated in a presidential election that was closely contested and marked by economic challenges and concerns of unrest. The election saw high voter turnout and was conducted peacefully under police watch in the capital, Lusaka. The main opposition presidential candidate, Hakainde Hichilema, held his last campaign rally before the election, which was attended by enthusiastic supporters. The country's economy, affected by fluctuating commodity prices, was a significant backdrop to the electoral process.

Former Zambian Vice President George Kunda passed away on Monday at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka. He served under former President Rupiah Banda and was part of the administration that lost to Michael Sata's Patriotic Front Party in the 2011 election. The cause of death was reported as anemia-related by hospital officials. Kunda had been active in the previous election campaign despite rumors of ill health. Prior to his death, he had been a vocal critic of President Sata's anti-corruption campaign, which he saw as a political witch hunt against former officials of Banda's administration. The death was confirmed by both the National Assembly and the hospital's managing director, but there has been no official government statement on the cause of death.