Zambians were mean to President Hichilems,the President deserved more than 75 percent of the vote- Hamududu

Economist and political figure Highvie Hamududu has sparked national debate by asserting that the Zambian electorate was overly "mean" to President Hakainde Hichilema at the ballot box. Hamududu argued that, given the administration's aggressive economic recovery agenda and macroeconomic stabilization efforts, the incumbent head of state deserved an overwhelming mandate exceeding 75 percent of the total vote. His remarks follow the official announcement of the general election results, which saw President Hichilema secure a second five-year term with approximately 60.5 percent of the valid votes cast. The commentary highlights a persistent divergence between macro-level economic appraisals by technocrats and the lived realities of ordinary citizens. Proponents of the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) often point to major milestones, including the historic sovereign debt restructuring, stabilization of inflation, and the appreciation of the Kwacha, as concrete evidence of prudent stewardship. Figures like Hamududu maintain that these foundational fixes have insulated the country from deeper fiscal collapse and positioned Zambia favorably within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. However, critics and a significant segment of the electorate contend that high-level economic indicators have not translated into immediate relief at household level. Persistent pressures—including the high cost of essential commodities like mealie-meal, electricity tariffs, and fuel price adjustments—dampened voter enthusiasm, contributing to a notable decline in voter turnout compared to the watershed 2021 elections. For many voters facing daily economic hardships, the ballot box served as a referendum on immediate living standards rather than long-term structural adjustments. Political analysts note that Hamududu’s robust defense of the administration underscores his recent political realignment, having integrated his party into broader cooperati