Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Electoral Commission of Zambia Chairperson Justice Irene Mambilima has suspended the announcement of election results from constituencies.
Justice Mambilima has told a media briefing this morning that this is to avoid influencing voting in the 51 polling stations that are voting today across the country.
Justice Mambilima says the commission has faced unprecedented challenges in the conduct of the presidential election due to the unfriendly weather resulting in some areas having not voted yesterday because they where inaccessible by road.
She explains that in some constituencies only two polling stations could be accessed by road.
Justice Mambilima says the Commission has made a decision that it would not be appropriate to give out the tally of the results so far verified because of the other voters who are voting today.
She says those voting today should vote with a free mind unhindered by speculation of who is the leading and trailing candidate.
Justice Mambilima says the commission will only release the tallies of the results after people in areas where voting is going on today have voted.
The 51 polling stations where voting is being conducted today are in Mafinga, Kaputa, Mitete, Lukulu West, Senanga, Kapoche, Chama North, Chama South and Limulunga.
And Justice Mambilima has advised the UPND and PF to cage their cadres.
Justice Mambilima did not mince her words when she categorically stated that it is only PF and UPND cadres that would resort to violence as results are being awaited.
She has further advised against premature celebrations by political parties before all the results have been declared by the commission.
Meanwhile from results declared earlier by the ECZ Patriotic Front presidential candidate Edgar Lungu has taken an early lead in yesterday presidential election which has turned out to be a two horse race between him and UPND presidential candidate Hakainde Hichilema.
With results from about 14 constituencies mostly from Copperbelt and Luapula declared by the Electoral Commission of Zambia so far, Mr Lungu has taken a commanding lead closely followed by Mr Hichilema.
Other candidates are trailing far behind the two leading contenders for the presidency.
Results from Nkana constituency have PF’s Edgar Lungu with 11,608 votes,UPND’s Hakainde Hichilema is second with 2,829 votes, MMD’s Nevers Mumba has 194 votes,FDD’S Edith Nawakwi has 104 votes and NAREP’s Elias Chipimo has 37 votes.
Others are Heritage party’s Godfrey Miyanda with 30,UNIP’s Tilyenji Kaunda with 29 votes,Green party’s Peter Sinkamba has 24 votes,Christian Democratic party’s Daniel Pule has 22 votes,Eric Chanda of Fourth Revolution party has 15 votes with FDA’s Ludwig Sondashi with 7 votes.
Results from Kalulushi constituency give PF’s Edgar Lungu 11,371 votes, UPND’s Hakainde Hichilema 4,040 votes,MMD’s Nevers Mumba has 134 votes,while FDD’s Edith Nawakwi has 86 votes with Heritage party’s Godfrey Miyanda amassing 56 votes.
Others are Eric Chanda of 4R with 47 votes,Elias Chipimo Jr of NAREP with 42 votes,Peter Sinkamba of Green party with 39 votes,Tilyenji Kaunda of UNIP with 38 votes,Daniel Pule of CDP with 35 votes and Ludwig Sondashi of FDA with 15 votes.
In Livingstone UPND’s Hakainde Hichilema has managed to poll 19,125 votes,PF’s Edgar Lungu has 8,352 votes,MMD’s Nevers has 653 votes,FDD’s Edith Nawakwi has 104 votes and Tilyenji Kaunda of UNIP has 89 votes.
ecNAREP’s Elias Chipimo Jr has 47 votes,Heritage party’s Godfrey Miyanda has 34 votes,4R’s Eric Chanda has 30 votes,Green party’s Peter Sinkamba has 24 votes,FDA’s Ludwig Sondashi has 16 votes with CDP’s Daniel Pule polling 12 votes.