Zambia’s opposition leader protests over results delay

NATION Correspondent and Agencies

LUSAKA

Zambia’s opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema on Sunday blasted the national election commission for slow progress in releasing results from this week’s closely-fought presidential vote.

Mr Hichilema, the leader of the United Party for National Development (UPND) who has alleged fraud in Thursday’s vote, demanded to speak to the commission’s chairman at its headquarters where the ballots are being counted, but he was blocked by police.

So far results from only 69 out of 156 constituencies have been released. The electoral commission had initially indicated that results would be announced within 48 hours of the close of voting, and no explanation has been given for the delays.

“Why are they taking this long?” asked Mr Hichilema, a wealthy businessman who is making his fifth bid for the presidency.

President Lungu is currently slightly ahead on 699,960 votes — with his victories including the capital Lusaka — with Hichilema close behind on 644,132. The other seven presidential candidates are far behind.

Results were, however, announced before he was granted meeting by the agency’s boss Justice Chulu. Copper-rich Zambia is usually known for its relative stability, but the run-up to the vote was marked by weeks of clashes between supporters of the UPND and President Edgar Lungu’s Patriotic Front (PF).

Mr Lungu took power only last year when he beat Mr Hichilema by less than 28,000 votes in a snap election following the death in office of president Michael Sata.

PF spokesman Frank Bwalya dismissed Mr Hichilema’s visit to the vote-counting centre as a publicity stunt.

“By going to the commission he wanted to force the police to arrest him,” said Mr Bwalya.

He blamed Mr Hichilema’s party for the delays, saying they had raised numerous complaints with the electoral commission.
“They have declared themselves the winners,” he said.

CONSTITUTIONAL REFERENDUM

When asked about the delays, Mr Lungu’s spokesman Amos Chanda said in a statement that the president was allowing the authorities “necessary room to do their job”.

Mr Hichilema on Friday alleged that authorities were colluding with Mr Lungu’s party over the results.

The 54-year-old said when he voted that he would accept the election result if it was “free, fair and transparent”.

Known as “HH”, Mr Hichilema has major investments in ranching, property and healthcare in Zambia.

Mr Lungu’s short term in office has been marked by the falling price of copper, the country’s key export, with inflation rising to over 20 per cent.

Recent constitutional changes require the winner to secure more than 50 per cent of the vote, meaning a run-off is possible should neither Lungu nor Hichilema secure a majority in the first round.

The presidential, parliamentary and local election also included a constitutional referendum on amending the bill of rights.

Meanwhile, But main challenger later in the afternoon stormed the tallying centre demanding a halt of the release of further results,citing suspicions of manipulation.

On Saturday, local media were quoting court documents saying Mr Hichilema’s move to obtain a High Court to compel the commission from further announcing the results failed.

Mr Chanda was quoted by state radio saying the governing party was headed for victory and it was just waiting for the official announcement. Mr Lungu told the congregation that “let the will of the people prevail” and the people’s voice was God’s.

Mr Lungu, 59, attended a Church in the sprawling slum of Bauleni located near State Lodge, where he was currently staying as results were being counted.A winning candidate was supposed to be sworn on a Tuesday seven days after declaration.

But a petition was most likely from the main opposition which might push the inauguration to happen 14 days after the Constitutional Court determines teh matter.

The southern African country of 14.5 million people was generally calm but anxious.