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The main Zambian opposition candidate led Saturday in the partial results of a close presidential election while incumbent leader Edgar Lungu cried foul in three provinces.
After a high turnout in Thursday’s vote, Hakainde Hichilema, 59, edged Lungu, 64, in around 40% of the constituencies announced so far, though EU observers said campaign conditions had been “uneven” and favored the incumbent president.
This is the third time that Hichilema has challenged Lungu in what analysts say is a close election amid growing resentment over the rising cost of living and the crackdown on dissent in this country of Southern Africa.
The Election Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has so far released the results of 62 of 156 constituencies, which puts Hichilema in the lead with 1,024,212 votes, compared to Lungu’s 562,523.
Hundreds of UPND opposition supporters marched through the capital Lusaka on Saturday, expressing impatience at the long wait for election results. By MARCO LONGARI (AFP) The ruling Patriotic Front (PF) and the main opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) say their respective candidates are ahead, citing their own tables.
Hundreds of UPND supporters marched in the capital Lusaka on Saturday, expressing their impatience to the ECZ.
Soldiers deployed for police in Thursday’s vote following fierce pre-election clashes monitored the scene from armored military vehicles.
Voting continued late into the night and saw sporadic clashes and troop reinforcements in three provinces after two deaths were reported on election day, including a ruling party chairman.
Lungu said on Saturday that violence, which was concentrated in UPND strongholds, made the election unfair.
“The polling agents having been attacked and driven from the polling stations, we were reduced to confronting each other in seven (out of ten) provinces,” he said in a statement, adding that the PF was “in the process of to consult on the next course of action “.
Some analysts fear Lungu will accept more than victory.
Social media access, limited to Lusaka just before Hichilema voted, was fully restored on Saturday following a High Court order.
Map of Zambia, which held presidential elections on August 12. By (AFP) The final result is expected to be announced within 72 hours of the closing time of the last polling station, meaning the wait could extend until Monday morning.
“Transparent” vote
The rigging of the elections raised many concerns.
Scuffles broke out at several polling stations after people were accused of carrying pre-marked ballots, which the ECZ denied.
The head of the African Union observation mission, Ernest Bai Koroma – a former president of Sierra Leone – said on Saturday that “the voting operations were conducted in a peaceful, transparent and professional manner”.
Counterparts in the European Union were slightly more critical of the poll, denouncing internet restrictions and “uneven campaign conditions”.
Zambian Defense Forces arrest a man in central Lusaka. By MARCO LONGARI (AFP) The electoral process was “technically well managed” but “marred by restrictions on freedoms of assembly and movement, and abuse of power,” Chief Observer Maria Arena told a press briefing.
Security forces have prevented Hichilema from campaigning in several parts of the country, including the strategic province of Copperbelt, citing violations of coronavirus measures and a law on public order.
About seven million people were registered to vote, the majority aged 24 to 34, out of a population of over 17 million.
Along with the president, they also elected a parliamentary representative, a mayor and a city councilor.
Hichilema is running for the sixth time, supported by an alliance of ten opposition parties.
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