PRESIDENT HICHILEMA, HARRY KALABA & MAKEBI ZULU SHARE WINS IN EMV FINAL OPINION POLL
Thursday-5th March 2026
The EMV Opinion Poll came to a thrilling grand finale on Wednesday 4th March 2026 which saw the 3 top winners share the spoils.
The EMV Podcast was carrying a 3-part series Opinion Poll on the questions of; “Who was likely to pose the strongest challenge against incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema” and “Who was likely to win the August 2026 presidential and general elections”.
The first two polls focused on consolidating the votes of who was the strongest candidate to challenge President Hichilema from the crowded field of Opposition presidential aspirants.
The poll results ranked the last top four final candidates from the Opposition and were pitted against President
President Hakainde in the last part of the series.
RESULTS OF THE POLLS
President Hakainde Hichilema emerged winner in the category of the Facebook Poll, scoring 51.27% beating his rivals; Brian Mundubile (27.17%), Makebi Zulu (17.09%) and Harry Kalaba (4.48%).
Citizen First President Harry Kalaba won the category of Live Phone Calls that saw him score 44.2% beating his rivals; Patriotic Front presidential aspirant, Makebi Zulu (40.1%), Tonse Alliance President, Brian Mundubile (5.8%), Socialist Party President, Dr. Fred M’membe (5.5%) and President Hakainde Hichilema (4.4%).
In the category of Online Voting, Makebi Zulu emerged winner with a commanding lead of (43.5%), beating; Harry Kalaba (24.4%),Brian Mundubile (14.8%), Hakainde Hichilema (11.3%), and Fred M’membe (5.8%).
The Poll attracted huge numbers of viewers, callers and comments during the duration of the broadcasts.
And promoter of the EMV Poll, Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba thanked both the members of the public and presidential candidates for their participation in the Poll and said presidential candidates and aspirants should use the outcome of the Poll as raw data to help them plan and strengthen their campaign strategies, identify and resolve the weaknesses, gaps and inadequacies revealed by the Poll
He also encouraged the candidates to build on the strengths revealed by the Poll.
FINAL RESULTS ON EMV OPINION POLL
A) Facebook Poll
1. Hakainde Hichilema-51.2%
2. Brian Mundubile-27.17%
3. Makebi Zulu-17.09%
4. Harry Kalaba-4.48%
B) LIVE PHONE CALLS
1. Harry Kalaba-44.2%
2. Makebi Zulu-40.1 %
3. Brian Mundubile- 5.8%
4. Dr. Fred M’membe-5.5%
5. Hakainde Hichilema-4.4%
C) ONLINE VOTING
1. Makebi Zulu-43.5%
2. Harry Kalaba- 24.4%
3. Brian Mundubile-14.8%
4. Hakainde Hichilema-11.3%
5. Fred Mmembe-5.8%
Garbage polling
This poll is hardly surprising. When an opposition leader runs a poll on a platform largely followed by opposition supporters, the outcome is already predictable. Phone-in and online polls in such spaces will naturally reflect the bias of that audience, not the wider electorate.
Come August, I doubt the actual election results will bear any resemblance to this exercise. That said, credit where it’s due Mwamba remains one of the most effective propaganda operators Zambia has seen. Question is, which side of history would one like to be remembered?
If we combine all these results. HH has won.
Exactly, Mwamba is a very good propagandist, he even includes phone ins. But he knows quiet well that HH is not at the he is putting him, he is not even in that category. Some of his rivals are not Party presidents and they don’t even have structures at the grassroots. In my opinion, this coming election will be the easiest for HH, it will be a walk over for him because his works have already campaigned for him. Agree or disagree, none of those rivals can seriously and effectively challenge HH, they are all below par.
The polls are influenced by the sample affiliation. Never true. It is a waste of time.
Some people think things on the ground are a joke.
People are really suffering. Cost of living too high, around 3 times worse than it was during PF. Add to that the gross corruption and tribalism. Then the oppression of critics and stupid laws meant to gag citizens. If this trajectory is maintained after August, kaya mwandini. We need fresh ideas, new blood.
REJECT TRIBALISM, CORRUPTION AND OPPRESSION.
VOTE FOR CHANGE IN AUGUST.
MUNYAULE DEALER WA GOLD.
Hey where have been?
You disappeared a bit. Got worried that you were drafted in the Ukraine army or something like that. Good you’re back. O see you still have that tribal Virus still infecting you. Sorry about that brother, I pray you heal soon.
How can one expect a rat to securely guard three groundnuts from being eaten? This complex question needs to considered by those expecting to convince thinking folk.
This is how I see this ridiculous poll. The platform used to spearhead this poll seriously compromised. Independence is key. Just on this simple test pf integrity this poll is suspect of major manipulation.
Wishful thinking at play.
Meant of, not pf.
Well, Mwamba, your propaganda never works anyways, so its all trash, no notabke effect
Whenever the name Emmanuel Mwamba crosses my mind, there is always one word which pops up – propaganda.
This guy will never be above or below this term, he is just it.