An incumbent, two former ministers and a veteran journalist are among 14 candidates vying to become Zambia's president in an election Thursday.
Only two are widely seen as serious contenders for State House. Here is a look at the leading hopefuls:
Hakainde Hichilema
The 64-year-old known as "HH" won Zambia's top job in 2021 on his sixth attempt, unseating longtime rival Edgar Lungu in a landslide after years as the country's leading opposition figure.
He rode a wave of public anger over a struggling economy and took office with Zambia reeling from a sovereign debt default.
