Celebrations In Lusaka As Zambian Opposition Leader Wins Poll

Thousands of Hichilema supporters flocked onto the streets of Lusaka, erupting into song and dance, cheering and waving party flags, following his landslide win in Presidential Elections.

The celebrations continued into dawn, as hundreds of people congregated outside Hichilema’s house in a leafy suburb of the capital.

Hundreds also took their victory lap to the entrance of the presidential residence, where soldiers and police kept guard.

On Saturday, as ballots were being counted, Lungu claimed the vote was neither free nor fair, but his objections gained little traction.

International election observers have commended the polls’ transparent and peaceful organisation, which saw a turnout of around 70.9 percent — a huge jump from 57.7 posted in the 2016 polls.

But they also criticised restrictions on freedom of assembly and movement during campaigning.

Observers saw the election as a referendum on Lungu’s rule, which saw plummeting living standards and deepening repression in the country of more than 17 million.

Hichilema enjoyed the backing of 10 opposition parties, which threw their weight behind his United Party for National Development (UPND). Legislative and local elections were held alongside the presidential ballot on Thursday.

The election, he hoped, strengthens Zambia’s democracy “and reminds fellow Africans elsewhere that nothing is impossible”.

Despite occasional episodes of political violence, Zambia has earned a reputation for stability. Every transition of power has been peaceful since the former British colony adopted its multi-party system in 1990.