NEW BEGINING: Sad Ending For Zambia’s Edgar Lungu As Oppositions Hichilema Trounces Him

By DOREEN ASASIRA

LUSAKA, Zambia-SHIFTMEDIA- Despite shutting the internet to the citizens in Zambia, incumbent President Edgar Lungu has lost to his main opposition challenger Hakainde Hichilema.

The country’s electoral body, the Zambia Electoral Commission has declared the businessman Hakainde as the new president of Zambia.

Zambia went into polls last week in a tension-parked election characterized by widespread irregularities and voter bribery.

Hichilema, aged 59  who has attempted five times to contest for presidency won Lungu by over a million votes.

His win marks an end to the six-year rule of Edgar Lungu that was characterized by widespread corruption, high unemployment, and a collapsed economy.

 

The BBC reported that his supporters have been celebrating on the streets of the capital, Lusaka since the declaration was made.

Lungu who had earlier alleged that the elections were not free and fair after he realized he was trailing, is yet to concede defeat.

 

Lungu had accused his main challenger of chasing his Patriotic Front Party election officials from polling stations, leaving votes his unprotected.

 

But Hichilema’s United Party for National Development said the statement was the “desperate final act of an outgoing administration”.

 

Zambia Electoral Commission chairperson Esau Chulu announced Hichilema, also known as the cattle boy winner after garnering  2,810,777 votes compared to Lungu’s 1,814,201.