00:00Tens of thousands of supporters of Zambian President Hakainde Ichilema gathered in Lusaka for his final major campaign rally two
00:09days before the country votes.
00:12Ichilema, who came to power in 2021, is seeking a second five-year term, campaigning on his record on education,
00:19jobs and economic recovery.
00:22Day after tomorrow, 13th of August, everywhere I have been, people have agreed that on Thursday they will vote for
00:32the UPND.
00:34Have you also agreed to vote for the UPND? Vote for the UPND on Thursday. If I say Thursday, UPND,
00:46you respond, take a lot of salt.
00:51Supporters credit the president with bringing greater political stability and investing in schools and public services.
00:57But for many Zambians, those gains are being weighed against unemployment, high living costs and pressure on household incomes.
01:05Well, honestly, I've been from Kaunda era, Chilwa era, all these eras which I've passed as president.
01:16For the first time in my life, I've experienced peace. For me, that's the most important thing.
01:22I don't care about the money because I can work for it.
01:25But the peace is what I really, really love about this president at all.
01:29Ichilema is facing a stronger opposition than initially expected from Yocama Brian Mundubile,
01:35who has accused authorities of abducting and detaining opposition figures, journalists and other critics.
01:40He says the elections must be allowed to take place without fear or intimidation.
01:45I'm expecting very peaceful elections, as it has been already, because some time back you are not peaceful at all.
01:54I'm telling you, seeing people, you know, having a presidential rally, they are free in their markets, shops are open.
02:03It really gives me a picture that we are really having a peaceful election than before.
02:10With campaigning now over, Zambia's voters face a choice between continuity and Ichilema
02:15and a growing opposition challenge with jobs, living costs and the credibility of the democratic process all at stake.
02:23I'm going to be a little bit more.
02:26I'm going to be a little bit more.
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