HH takes early lead

United Party for National Development (UPND) President Hakainde Hichilema has taken an early lead after the announcement of election results from the eight constituencies announced by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).

The UPND Leader tops the group with 47, 706 votes followed by his rival President Edgar Lungu who has 41, 572 votes reflecting a 6, 134 difference.

UNIP’s Tilyenji Kaunda is in the third position with 541 votes while first time contestant Andyford Banda of People’s Alliance for Change (PAC) has 527 votes.

FDD President Edith Nawakwi has so far managed to 518 votes, Dr. Savior Chishimba of UPP has 273 votes, while Rainbow Party candidate Wynter Kabimba has 196 votes followed by Peter Sinkamba of Green Party who has 105 votes and at the bottom there is Maxwell Mwamba of DA who has 95 votes.

Announcing the latest results at midnight, ECZ Chairperson Justice Esau Chulu says the total registered voters in the eight constituencies is 163, 520 and that valid total votes casts are 91, 533 votes.

Justice Chulu says the total number of rejected votes are 2, 567 and total votes cast is 94, 100 representing a 57.55 percent turnout.

He says the next set of the results will be announced this morning at 11:00hrs.

The ECZ Chairperson has since appealed to all stakeholders to remain calm as the commission continues to release4 the official results.