[1] The ruling Patriotic Front candidate Edgar Lungu won by a narrow majority of just 27,757 votes (1.68%) against Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development.

[4] Following his death on 28 October, Vice-president Guy Scott became acting president and became the first white head of state on the African continent since Apartheid-era South Africa's F. W. de Klerk.

However, following the death of President Sata and the calling of early elections, however, MMD Deputy National Secretary Chembe Nyangu expressed doubts about whether the alliance would work given the short time period to agree on a candidate.

[9] Vice-president Scott, who was serving as acting president following Sata's death, announced that he would not contest the elections, claiming he was constitutionally barred from doing so.

[22] Following this meeting on 18 November 2014, MMD national secretary Muhabi Lungu stated that Mumba had disregarded party organs, namely the NEC, and committed gross misconduct.

[29] The UPND's National Management Committee unanimously agreed to field party leader and prior presidential candidate Hakainde Hichilema on 14 November 2014.

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe attended the swearing in ceremony in his capacity as the Chairman of the Southern African Development Community.