Zambian president Lungu win re-election amid controversy

Zambia: Zambian President Edgar Lungu has been declared winner of the country's presidential election after he narrowly won re-election in Thursday election, a vote rejected by his main rival Hakainde Hichilema on the basis that it was rigged by the electoral commission.

President Lungu had faced a tough challenge from main rival Hichilema to rule over a country which has suffered decline economically due to weak commodity prices.

Lungu, who also narrowly beat Hichilema in a vote last year to replace late president Michael Sata, won 50.35 per cent of the vote casted, against 47.63 for his opponent Hichilema, said the Election Commission of Zambia (ECZ).
Announcing the result on Monday, the ECZ chairperson said;

"I honorable Justice Esau Chulu, being the returning officer for the election, declare Edgar Chagwa Lungu president elect."

President Lungu's supporters, draped in the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) regalia, took to the streets of Zambia chanting slogans and hooting car horns in celebration moments after the announcement was made.
Hichilema opposition party, the United Party for National Development (UPND) accused electoral officials of colluding in favour of president Lungu and said it would challenge the result at the Constitutional Court.
Speaking to journalist, 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 Electoral Commission of Zambia,"

"We have confidence that the constitutional court will rise above board and declare the results a nullity."

But the electoral commission and Lungu's PF party have both rejected the charges.