The outgoing President of Zambia, Edgar Lungu, has finally conceded defeat to the country’s main opposition leader, Hakainde Hichilema.
Mr Lungu had earlier rejected the results of the presidential election.
Giving reasons for rejecting the results, Mr. Lungu said there were widespread violence that made his Patriotic Front party’s election officials to runaway from polling stations, leaving votes “unprotected.”
However, in his response, Mr Hichilema’s United Party for National Development observed that the statement was the “desperate final act of an outgoing administration”.
But Mr Lungu has made a u-turn on his earlier stance, announcing to the nation in a live televised address that he has conceded defeat.
Speaking to Zambians in an address on state television, Mr Lungu said “I would like to congratulate my brother Hakainde Hichilema for being elected as the 7th president of mother Zambia.”
Incumbent President Edgar Lungu live on state TV conceding defeat and “congratulating my brother, the president elect Hakainde Hichilema” pic.twitter.com/wAeSL51WCE
— Nomsa Maseko (@nomsa_maseko) August 16, 2021
Celebrations
There were wild jubilations across Lusaka, the national capital of Zambia following the confirmation of the country’s opposition leader, Hakainde Hichilema, as the winner of the just-ended Presidential election.
Citizens, mostly Mr. Hichilema’s supporters took to the streets around 2:00am to celebrate his victory.
A video and photos obtained by African Entertainment from social media show people dancing and singing.
Results declared
The Electoral Commission of Zambia confirmed that Mr Hichilema defeated incumbent President Edgar Lungu.
Mr Hichilema won by more than a million per the votes declared by the Electoral Commission. It was his sixth attempt in the Presidential race.
The final results declared by the electoral commission revealed that Mr Hichilema had won 2,810,777 votes to Mr Lungu’s 1,814,201 in Thursday’s election.
African Entertainment understands that there were seven million registered voters.
