HH Takes The Lead In Presidential Race

United Party for National Development presidential candidate Hakainde Hichilema has secured an early lead in the race to become head of state, according to parallel voter tabulation (PVT) data gathered by Open Zambia.

Mr Hichilema is currently in poll position with 64.9% of the vote, followed by President Edgar Lungu on 33.1%. They are trailed by Democratic candidate Harry Kalaba (0.4%) and Fred M’membe of the Socialist Party (0.3%).

HH leads in seven of Zambia’s ten provinces, including the key battlegrounds of Lusaka and the Copperbelt. However, it is important to note that these results are just preliminary, with only 2.21% of polling stations counted. As such these are subject to change.

More information is available at the Open Zambia PVT results page: https://www.openzambia.com/pvt 

The UPND is also doing well in parliamentary races, with analysis from News Diggers showing that Lusaka Central candidate Mulambo Haime is leading against PF incumbent Margaret Mwanakatwe in the crucial seat. 

The Electoral Commission of Zambia has said that full results can be expected on Sunday morning: 72 hours after polls opened. Chief Electoral Officer Kryticous Shindano has urged Zambians to remain calm while results come in. 

Meanwhile, social media blackouts remain in place across the country, having briefly abated last night. Access to WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram is still restricted without a VPN.

Internet monitoring group NetBlocks confirmed the blackout yesterday and warned that it presented a “challenge to election transparency”.