Zambia election: Opposition leader Hichilema defeats President Lungu

Zambia opposition leader, Hakainde Hichilema has won the presidential election by a landslide.

The Electoral Commission released the results on Monday at the capital Lusaka.

Hichilema got 2,810,777 votes against President Edgar Lungu 1,814,201, with all but one of the 156 constituencies counted.

“I, therefore, declare Hichilema to be President of Zambia”, Esau Chulu, the Electoral Commission chairman said.

It would be third time power has shifted from a ruling party to the opposition since the country’s independence from Britain in 1964.

Hichilema’s supporters across the nation are in a celebration mood.

The United Party for National Development (UPND) candidate was a former CEO at an accounting firm.

Lungu, 64, is yet to concede defeat and may challenge the victory of the 59-year old President-elect.

On Saturday, Lungu alleged that the election was “not free and fair” following violence against agents of the ruling Patriotic Front Party (PFP) in three provinces.