As opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema surges ahead in election preliminary results, Zambian President Edgar Lungu has alleged that the vote was not free and fair.
By Chris Mfula LUSAKA (Reuters) -Zambian President Edgar Lungu, trailing after early results, said on Saturday the presidential and parliamentary election was not free and fair after incidents of violence in three provinces. Lungu said the Patriotic Front party that he leads was consulting on its next course of action. Results from 31 of the country s 156 constituencies from Thursday s vote put businessman Hakainde Hichilema, who has criticised the president s management of an economy in turmoil ahead of Lungu, who is running for a second five-year term. Some constituencies include perceived Lungu strongholds, suggesting Hichilema has gained ground since the last elections in 2016, when he lost by a slim margin in a vote marred by allegations of rigging. Hichilema s United Party for National Development party said Lungu s comments were the desperate final act of an outgoing administration . Lungu s party said its vote tally showed a huge turnout in its strongholds and it was confident
(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Zambian opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema took an early lead in the country’s presidential election over long-time rival and incumbent Edgar Lungu, according to first results issued by the electoral commission on Saturday. Lungu, 64 and in power since 2015, faces a potentially tight contest against Hichilema – known as “HH” – a […]