Zambia’s Incumbent Concedes Poll Defeat To Main Opposition Leader

Zambia’s president on Monday conceded an election defeat to opposition candidate Hakainde Hichilema.

President Edgar Lungu committed to a peaceful power transition, speaking in an address to the nation from State House in the capital Lusaka after Hichilema won Thursday’s general election by a landslide.

“I wish to thank the people of Zambia for having given me an opportunity to serve this great nation. I cherish this opportunity as all I ever wanted was to do the best for the people of Zambia,” said Lungu.

President-elect Hichilema is expected to be inaugurated in seven days as is required by the southern African country’s constitution.

Lungu said he recognized the results announced by the Electoral Commission of Zambia that Hichilema of the United Party for National Development (UPND) polled 2,810,757 votes, while Lungu of the Patriotic Front (PF) scored 1,840,201 votes.

“I will comply with all the provisions of the law to ensure a peaceful transition of power. I wish to congratulate the president-elect, my brother, his Excellency Mr. Hakainde Hichilema for having won this election,” he added.

Lungu also congratulated the winners of the parliamentary and local elections held simultaneously with the presidential vote, urging his party and supporters not to be discouraged because their vote for him did not go in vain.

Hichilema became the country’s seventh president by winning close to 60% of the vote, more than the 50% constitutional threshold for a direct election victory.

He had stitched an alliance with several political parties, including the Movement for Democratic Change run by Felix Mutati, a former minister in Lungu’s cabinet.

His victory was met by celebrations and looting in some areas, including the PF secretariat building in Lusaka, which was damaged.

seen as the people’s victory and greeted by widespread celebrations which other parts of the country unfortunately resulted in looting of shops and property damage.

Condemning the looting, Hichilema warned that their perpetrators would be punished.

Police spokeswoman Esther Katongo said that enough officers were on duty to ensure that those was caught committing criminal activities would be dealt with sternly.