[2] Michael Sata of the Patriotic Front (PF) won the presidential elections, defeating incumbent Rupiah Banda of the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD), and was sworn into office on 23 September.

The PF emerged as the largest party in the National Assembly, winning 60 of the 148 seats decided on election day.

Early in his campaign, Sata accused the Chinese mining firms of having slave-like labour conditions and ignoring safety standards and local cultural practices.

Additionally, hackers attacked the Election Commission's website that night and posted false results suggesting Sata won by a landslide.

[5][7] European Union electoral observers said that the election was "generally well administered," but that there was not equitable access to resources, resulting in the lack of a "level playing field" in the campaign.

[6] Other readings said that after Sata toned down his rhetoric he did not differ much from Banda, but benefited from a crowded ballot of candidates.