Africa-Press – Namibia. Preliminary vote counting indicates that Hakainde Hichilema is ahead of his main competitor by more than 87,000 votes, with over 75% of the electoral districts yet to report.
The head of the electoral commission in Zambia announced the results on Saturday, revealing Hichilema’s lead over his closest rival, Brian Mundubile, by a margin of 87,427 votes.
Hichilema, the candidate from the United Party for National Development, received 438,708 votes, while Mundubile, the candidate from the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity, garnered 351,281 votes.
A total of 26,103 ballots were rejected, bringing the total number of votes cast in the reported districts to 833,671, with a voter turnout of 55.45%.
Candidates trailing significantly behind the frontrunners include Harry Kalaba from the Citizens First Party, Kelvin Fubi Bwalya from the Zambia Must Prosper Party, and Fred Mmembe from the Socialist Party, each receiving fewer than 4,000 votes. Independent candidate Given Katuta, the only woman in the race, received 1,919 votes.
Zalumis urged patience as the votes in the remaining districts are counted, emphasizing that the final result will only be announced after the nationwide counting process is complete.
She stated, “The commission urges all political parties, candidates, and the general public to remain calm and patient as we continue with the remaining counting operations.”
Brown Kasaro, a senior election official at the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, confirmed that despite delays, the commission is still on track to announce the final results by August 17.
