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Zambian opposition candidate leads crunch vote ahead of final result

By Sofia CHRISTENSEN and Obert SIMWANZA
Zambia Supporters of Zambian opposition presidential candiate Hakainde Hichilema started to celebrate early.  By Patrick Meinhardt AFP
AUG 15, 2021 LISTEN
Supporters of Zambian opposition presidential candiate Hakainde Hichilema started to celebrate early. By Patrick Meinhardt (AFP)

Business tycoon Hakainde Hichilema on Sunday looked to be on the cusp of winning a hotly-contested presidential election in debt-burdened but copper-rich Zambia as final votes were counted.

With 128 of 156 constituencies reporting, official results showed Hichilema on 2,324,847 votes, or 82 percent of the constituencies counted so far, ahead of Lungu who had 1,464,681 votes.

Final results should be released by early Monday at the latest.

This is the sixth time opposition politician Hichilema, who is 59, has run for the top job and the third time he has challenged 64-year-old President Edgar Lungu.

Lungu who has been in office for six years faced the electorate amid growing resentment about rising living costs and crackdowns on dissent in the southern African country.

Final results should be released by early Monday at the latest.  By MARCO LONGARI AFP Final results should be released by early Monday at the latest. By MARCO LONGARI (AFP)

Hichilema enjoyed the backing of 10 opposition parties at Thursday's vote under the banner of the largest opposition United Party for National Development (UPND).

The incumbent has cried foul before a winner is declared, claiming the election was neither free nor fair due to incidents of violence reported in what are traditionally Hichilema's stronghold.

In a statement issued through the president's office, he alleged that his party's polling agents were attacked and chased from voting stations.

Security forces on Sunday dispersed several crowds of jubilant UPND supporters celebrating in the capital Lusaka, AFP photographers saw.

'Victory in sight' -

Hichilema, popularly referred to by his initials 'HH' or Bally (slang for dad), on Sunday called for peace.

"With victory in sight, I'd like to ask for calm from our members and supporters," he tweeted.

Zambian Defense Forces patrol downtown Lusaka ahead of the election outcome.  By Patrick Meinhardt AFP Zambian Defense Forces patrol downtown Lusaka ahead of the election outcome. By Patrick Meinhardt (AFP)

"We voted for change for a better Zambia that's free from violence and discrimination."

"Let us be the change we voted for and embrace the spirit of Ubuntu (humanity) to love and live together harmoniously."

He later tweeted an image of a silhouette of his raised hand superimposed on a background bearing the inscription "change is here".

Hichilema also tweeted a picture of himself and former president Rupiah Banda at the latter's residence, saying they had just concluded a meeting.

"We discussed a wide range of issues bordering on the welfare of our people. We remain committed to ensuring a united and prosperous Zambia for all," he wrote on Twitter.

Turnout was just over 70 percent in a vote that analysts say was a referendum against Lungu's rule.

Map of Zambia held presidential elections on August 12..  By  AFP Map of Zambia held presidential elections on August 12.. By (AFP)

Parties that have backed Hichilema on Sunday scoffed at Lungu's "unsubstantiated" claims, and urged him to concede.

"We ask you (Lungu) for once to act in a statesman-like manner by quickly conceding to your brother Hakainde Hichilema so that the process of handover and reconciliation of this nation can begin," Charles Milupi, chairman of the UPND Alliance told reporters.

He urged Zambians to prepare for Hichilema's inauguration.

International election observers have commended the transparent and peaceful organisation of the polls, but condemned the restrictions on freedom of assembly and movement.

Security forces blocked Hichilema from campaigning in several areas, including the strategic Copperbelt Province, citing breaches of coronavirus measures and a public order act.

Lungu also deployed the military following pre-election clashes and reinforced the army presence in three provinces after two deaths were reported on election day.

Social media access, restricted in the capital Lusaka just as Hichilema cast his vote, was restored on Saturday following a court order.

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