Opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema has defeated Edgar lungu in Zambia’s presidential elections, the electoral commission said it on Monday when releasing final results from 156 constituencies.
Hichilema secured 2,810,777 votes while Lungu was in second place with 1,814,201 votes, out of 7 million registered voters.
His major win means Mr Hichilema will not have to fight a run-off contest.
“I therefore declare that the said Hichilema to be president of Zambia,” commission chairman Esau Chulu announced at the results in Lusaka.
Lungu criticised the continued vote counting saying there were not fair due to incidents of violence report in what are traditionally stronghold for Hichilema ‘s stronghold.
Lungu alleged that his party polling agents were attacked and chased away from voting stations.
The UPND dismissed the ruling party’s allegations as a “desperate final act of an outgoing administration”.
The election marked the sixth time Hichilema had run for the top job and the third time he had challenged 64-year-old incumbent Lungu in presidential elections.
International election observers have commended the transparent and peaceful organisation of the polls, but condemned the restrictions on freedom of assembly and movement during the election campaign.
