Zambia's parliament has been dissolved exactly 90 days before the upcoming general election.

The house held its last sitting on Wednesday and the clerk announced that it would formally dissolve on Friday.

The Zambian constitution requires that parliament is dissolved 90 days before the next election.

Zambians will head to the polls on 21 August.

The UK has contributed £500,000 (£702,000) to a democracy programme managed by the UN Development Programme ahead of the elections.

The programme will support a democratic election while ensuring legitimacy and fairness during the electoral process.

Zambian President Edgar Lungu is seeking re-election and has in the past assured international partners of a free and fair election.