HICHILEMA SAYS EARLY ELECTION RESULTS ENCOURAGING

PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA says he has continued to receive encouraging results following yesterday’s voting. President HICHILEMA says he has also received reports of peace, unity and solidarity across the country as the counting process continues. In a statement posted on…

PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA says he has continued to receive encouraging results following yesterday’s voting.

President HICHILEMA says he has also received reports of peace, unity and solidarity across the country as the counting process continues.

In a statement posted on his Facebook page, President HICHILEMA has urged Zambians to remain peaceful, patient and patriotic while awaiting the official results from the Electoral Commission of Zambia — ECZ.

Meanwhile, UPND National Management Committee representative MULAMBO HAIMBE says early indications from tallying centres are encouraging for President HICHILEMA.

Mr. HAIMBE says reported trends point to a strong performance for the incumbent, with high voter turnout recorded in Southern, Western and North-Western Provinces.

He says the picture in Central Province is favourable, while the party is also seeing gains in Northern Province.

However, Mr. HAIMBE has stressed that the information being shared represents early indications and not official election results.

He says only the ECZ has the constitutional authority to declare the winner of the presidential election.

Mr. HAIMBE has further cautioned political parties and members of the public against circulating unverified claims of victory, saying the ECZ should be allowed to complete the process of collation, verification and announcement of results.

The UPND has since called on citizens to exercise patience and restraint and respect the conclusion of the democratic process.