By Chris Mfula
LUSAKA, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Zambians started voting on Thursday in a national election in which President Hakainde Hichilema is favoured to win a second term after overseeing an economic rebound during his first five years in office.
The country of 22 million people is voting in presidential, parliamentary and local government elections simultaneously. Polls opened at 6 a.m. (0400 GMT) and will close at 6 p.m., with results expected on Monday.
Hichilema has led the southern African copper producer since 2021 and is running on his economic record, having steered Zambia through a debt restructuring and recovery since it defaulted on its sovereign debt in 2020.
His main challenger is Brian Mundubile, an experienced parliamentarian but first-time presidential candidate who is leading an opposition alliance backed by supporters of Hichilema's predecessor, the late former president Edgar Lungu.
COST OF LIVING MAJOR ISSUES FOR VOTERS
"I voted for HH because he cares about us," said James Phiri, a 29-year-old student at the University of Zambia, using a common nickname for the president.
"Things are better after he re-introduced meal allowances," said Phiri. Hichilema fulfilled a campaign promise by restoring allowances for university students which were cancelled by the previous administration.
Many Zambians say they are struggling with the cost of living despite economic indicators having improved, which analysts see as Hichilema's main weakness in the poll.
"I have just come from firing someone. We are tired of stories about economic progress," said Samuel Chitendwe, a 47-year-old welder and father of four who said he voted for Mundubile.
The opposition camp has support in Lusaka and the Copperbelt Province, both of which have large numbers of registered voters, said Lee Habasonda, a political science lecturer at the University of Zambia, while the ruling party is likely to be stronger in rural areas.
SOME CONCERNS OVER FAIRNESS OF VOTE
The lead-up to the vote has been marred by some allegations of political repression, although the government denies this.
Zambia is rated as "partly free" by U.S. non-profit group Freedom House, which says that although there are regular multi-party elections, opposition parties face "onerous legal and practical obstacles to fair competition."
A presidential candidate must receive more than 50% of votes cast in order to win in the first round, or faces a run-off between the top two contenders.
If the presidential vote goes to a second round the run-off must be held within 37 days of the first poll.
(Additional reporting and writing by Nellie Peyton; Editing by David Holmes and Toby Chopra)
