Amanze Chinonye
President Hakainde Hichilema has taken a commanding lead in Zambia’s presidential election, securing 58.87% of votes counted in 135 of the country’s 226 constituencies, according to the Electoral Commission of Zambia, Prime Business Africa reports.
The 64-year-old incumbent had received 1,544,140 votes, while his closest challenger, Brian Mundubile, had 1,030,662 votes. Fourteen candidates are contesting the presidency.
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A candidate must secure more than 50% of valid votes to win outright. If no candidate reaches that threshold, the leading contenders will face a runoff.
The results place Hichilema in a strong position to secure a second term, although the commission has yet to declare a winner, with results from 91 constituencies still outstanding.
Thursday’s voting was largely peaceful, but the campaign and election period were marked by opposition allegations of intimidation, arrests, abductions and political violence.
Police said a 57-year-old polling agent was killed on election day after being attacked by a group of men in a township outside Lusaka. Nine suspects were arrested in connection with the incident.
The Electoral Commission suspended the count for about six hours on Friday following reports of violence against polling staff and the alleged theft of marked ballot papers. It has not said whether the stolen ballots were recovered.
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The suspension drew criticism from election observers. The Southern African Development Community observer mission said it had created “uncertainty and anxiety”, while Reinhold Lopatka, head of the European Parliament’s observer delegation, described it as “disproportionate”.
The European Union and other observer missions have urged political parties to avoid inflammatory statements as the remaining results are compiled. The commission is expected to announce the presidential result on Monday.
The election is a test of Hichilema’s first five years in office, during which Zambia’s economy returned to growth following a sovereign debt crisis. His administration has also sought to attract investment into the mining industry, particularly the copper sector.
Critics argue that the recovery has yet to translate into significant improvements in living standards for many Zambians.
The vote has also drawn scrutiny of the country’s political environment. Opposition parties and civil society groups have accused the government of restricting political activity and campaigning. The European Union said such restrictions had contributed to an “uneven playing field”.
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Zambia has a record of peaceful transfers of power through elections, with every change of president since the return to multiparty politics in 1991 taking place through the ballot box.
With 91 constituencies still to report, attention is focused on whether Hichilema can retain his lead and secure the majority required to avoid a runoff.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
