Zambian President is re-elected as opponent cries foul
Tue Aug 16, 2016 09:40:am Africa
3K By Buchi Obichie
Zambian President, Edgar Lungu, narrowly won re-election on Monday in a vote described by his main rival as being rigged.
Hakainde Hichilema's United Party for National Development (UPND), accused election officials of fraud during the count which began after voting ended on Thursday, and said it would appeal the result at the Constitutional Court.
Lungu faced a tough challenge from Hichilema in a campaign to rule over Africa's second-largest copper producer which has suffered an economic slump due to depressed commodity prices.
The Election Commission of Zambia (ECZ) said on Monday, that Lungu won the election with 50.35 percent of the vote, against 47.63 for Hichilema.
Speaking with reporters after the result was announced, UPND party lawyer, Jack Mwiimbu, said: "We have evidence to the effect that the votes for Hakainde Hichilema have been deliberately reduced in collusion with the Election Commission of Zambia."
Hakainde Hichilema's United Party for National Development (UPND), accused election officials of fraud during the count which began after voting ended on Thursday, and said it would appeal the result at the Constitutional Court.
Lungu faced a tough challenge from Hichilema in a campaign to rule over Africa's second-largest copper producer which has suffered an economic slump due to depressed commodity prices.
The Election Commission of Zambia (ECZ) said on Monday, that Lungu won the election with 50.35 percent of the vote, against 47.63 for Hichilema.
Speaking with reporters after the result was announced, UPND party lawyer, Jack Mwiimbu, said: "We have evidence to the effect that the votes for Hakainde Hichilema have been deliberately reduced in collusion with the Election Commission of Zambia."
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