Zambia’s Hichilema leads presidential vote count
Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema was well ahead in the counting for national elections on Sunday, with nearly half the constituencies declared, the electoral commission said.
Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema is leading the presidential vote count, according to the Electoral Commission of Zambia. Nearly half of the constituencies have been declared, with Hichilema garnering 54.82% or 1,056,812 of the declared votes. This puts him on track for re-election without a runoff if he maintains his overall majority.
His main opponent, Brian Mundubile, is in second place with 43% or 830,841 of the declared votes. The presidential vote, along with parliamentary and local elections, took place on Thursday. The vote is seen as a test of Hichilema's economic progress following a pandemic-era debt crisis in Africa's second-largest copper producer.
The Electoral Commission temporarily halted vote counting on Friday due to violence against officials and the theft of ballot papers. Zambia's police have denied allegations that Mundubile was arrested and detained. If no candidate secures at least 50% of the vote, a second-round vote will be held within 37 days of the initial poll.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 2 other outlets
- Zambia’s Hichilema leads presidential vote count kahawatungu.com
- Zambia's Hichilema leads presidential vote count nation.africa
