The victor needed over 50 percent of the votes to avoid a runoff election.
Advertisement
LUSAKA, Aug 12 (Reuters) – Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu took a narrow early lead over his main challenger in a tight race for the presidency on Friday after the electoral commission delayed results twice and the opposition accused it of fraud.
Lungu, became president after narrowly winning a January 2015 by-election after the death of Michael Sata.
The ruling Patriotic Front said Hichilema risked casting the nation into turmoil and called on the authorities to protect the office of the president and the electoral commission.
Earlier on Sunday, Hichilema blasted the national election commission for the slow progress in releasing results from this week’s closely-fought presidential vote. The electoral commission initially said results would be announced within 48 hours of the close of voting, and no explanation has been given for the delays.
“It is with a heavy heart that as UPND, we have chose to withdraw from the verification exercise of the results that are being transmitted at this moment”, he said.
Lungu, who narrowly won office in a snap election in the southern African country previous year, faced another strong challenge from wealthy businessman Hichilema in a field of nine candidates.
Zambia, one of Africa’s most stable democracies, has been tense as rising unemployment after mine closures, chronic electricity shortages and soaring prices for household goods all take their toll.
The Carter Center, the human rights organization founded by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, said the weeks ahead will test Zambia’s democratic institutions.
Voting has so far been calm and orderly, with many Zambians sharing pictures of their inked thumbs and fingers on social media as a sign that they have fulfilled their civic duty.
“Obviously this is raising a lot of anxiety but I am still confident that Edgar Lungu will win”, said James Bulaya, a 40-year-old mechanic.
Voters said the long queues could be a sign that Zambians wanted change.
Radio stations appealed for voters to remain peaceful as they cast their ballots for the national assembly and local councillors, as well as the presidency.
Advertisement
Observers are braced for trouble when the results are announced on Saturday.
