Incumbent in early lead in Zambian poll

EARLY results from Zambia’s presidential election were released yesterday, with poll observers calling for calm as delays in counting votes followed a tense campaigning period.

President Edgar Lungu of the Patriotic Front and leading challenger Hakainde Hichilema were in a close race for power as Zambia struggles with a weakening economy.

Hichilema, of the United Party for National Development, alleged on Friday that the count was being undermined by fraud.

The Electoral Commission rejected Hichilema’s claims as “regrettable”.

By yesterday afternoon, partial results from 22 of the 156 constituencies put Lungu ahead on 207 547 votes and Hichilema on 153 630, with the other seven candidates far behind. Lungu took power only last year when he beat Hichilema by fewer than 28 000 votes in a snap election.

Zambia is known for its relative stability, but the run-up to Thursday’s vote was marked by weeks of clashes between supporters of the two top parties, with at least three people killed.

The Christian Churches Monitoring Group, which had 1 670 observers at polling stations, described the election as a “step backward for the country” and expressed concern about the environment before the vote.

The estimated turnout was about 57% — far higher than last year.

Lungu’s short term in office has been marked by the falling price of copper, the country’s key export, with inflation rising to more than 20% and unemployment soaring.

Constitutional changes mean the winner must now secure more than 50% of the vote, leading to a possible second-round run-off that is likely to be held next month. — AFP