Zambia’s Hichilema Wins Second Term As President

LUSAKA (Zambia), Aug 18 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema secured a second term in office with more than 2.9 million votes, the Electoral Commission of Zambia announced early on Tuesday, Anadolu Ajansi reported.

Hichilema, 64, surpassed the constitutionally required threshold of 50 per cent plus one vote.

He defeated his main challenger in last Thursday’s presidential election, Brian Mundubile of the National Restoration Party for Unity and Progress (NRPUP), who received 1.8 million votes.

“Thank you, Zambia. We are truly humbled by the trust you have placed in our hands to hold our nation’s highest office and be your servant once more,” Hichilema said in a Facebook post shortly after Electoral Commission of Zambia chairperson Mwanagala Zaloumis declared him president-elect at the national election centre in the capital, Lusaka.

Zaloumis said Hichilema had won so convincingly that the outstanding results from selected polling stations in five of the country’s 226 constituencies would have no material impact on the outcome.

The streets of Lusaka were buzzing well before Hichilema’s victory was announced and remained lively long afterwards as people from all walks of life thronged the streets, braving the early-morning cold in jubilant celebration.

“Mr President, please continue being the good leader that you are to this country.

“The people of Zambia have demonstrated once again their confidence and belief in your leadership,” Collins Maoma, national chairperson of Hichilema’s party, the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND), told reporters.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU