At least 14 presidential candidates, out of the initial 27 who paid the equivalent of approximately N$100,000 nomination fee, have made it onto the final ballot list for Zambia’s August general elections.

Of the candidates, only Given Katuta, who is contesting the presidency as an independent, is a woman.

Incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development (UPND) has also made the final list.

Embattled former intelligence chief Xavier Chungu, who is facing multiple charges for allegedly revealing state secrets during his campaign trail and remains incarcerated, has also made it onto the list.

None of the three former ruling parties is on the ballot.

The first to form a government, the late Kenneth Kaunda’s United National Independence Party (UNIP), has factions that have gone into alliances.

Late Frederick Chiluba’s Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) has rebranded and entered an alliance with Hichilema’s UPND.

Late Edgar Lungu’s Patriotic Front (PF) party has disintegrated into factions that have either rebranded or joined various coalitions.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia and some party representatives are currently in Dubai monitoring the printing of ballot papers.

Zambia goes to the general elections on 13 August.