Zambia: Edgar Lungu re-elected president

By Francis Maingaila

LUSAKA, Zambia (AA) – Zambian President Edgar Lungu has been re-elected, the country’s electoral commission announced Monday.

With 1,860,877 votes, he defeated his closest rival Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development (UPND) who received 1,760,347 votes.

“I am satisfied that, Edgar Chagwa Lungu was validly elected president in an election which took place on Aug. 11, do hereby declare him duly elected president of the republic of Zambia,” said Electoral Commission of Zambia Chairman, Justice Esau Chulu, in Lusaka.

Nine candidates, including his closest rival Hakinde Hichilema of the opposition UPND, Forum for National Democracy and Development president, Edith Nawakwi and six other opposition leaders had taken part in the election.

Lungu will rule for a second five-year term. He was elected president in 2015 to complete the term left vacant left by late president Michael Chilufya Sata who died in a London Hospital in October 2014. Lungu is Zambia’s sixth president since it gained its independence in 1964.