Hichilema widens lead as Southern, Western and North-Western results come in

19 Views LUSAKA — President Hakainde Hichilema has significantly widened his lead in Zambia’s presidential election as results from his traditional strongholds continue to be added to the national tally. The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), at its 2pm CAT announcement, said results had been consolidated from 105 of the country’s 226 constituencies. The latest […]

19 Views

LUSAKA — President Hakainde Hichilema has significantly widened his lead in Zambia’s presidential election as results from his traditional strongholds continue to be added to the national tally.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), at its 2pm CAT announcement, said results had been consolidated from 105 of the country’s 226 constituencies.

The latest consolidated figures put Hichilema on 1,056,812 votes against 830,841 for his closest challenger, Brian Mundubile of the NRP-UP.

That gives Hichilema a lead of 225,971 votes, with 121 constituencies still outstanding.

The latest figures represent a substantial increase in Hichilema’s advantage compared with the previous consolidated tally from 70 constituencies, when he had 626,434 votes against Mundubile’s 505,795.

The emerging pattern is increasingly being shaped by what the figures show are very large Hichilema victories in Southern Province, Western Province and parts of North-Western Province.

In several constituencies, Mundubile has struggled to reach even 1,000 votes, while Hichilema has recorded tens of thousands of votes.

For example, in Kalomo Central Constituency, Hichilema received 40,544 votes against just 638 for Mundubile.

In Pemba, Hichilema polled 31,831 while Mundubile received 159.

Another overwhelming margin was recorded in Mbabala Constituency in Choma, where Hichilema received 29,850 votes against 108 for Mundubile.

In Gwembe, Hichilema secured 24,797 votes while Mundubile polled 204.

The same pattern was recorded in Western Province.

In Liuwa Constituency, Hichilema received 14,246 votes against 159 for Mundubile, while in Kalabo South the incumbent polled 9,642 against just 67 for his challenger.

In North-Western Province, Hichilema also recorded substantial victories in several constituencies.

In Zambezi Central, he received 15,482 votes against 394 for Mundubile.

In Lumwana Constituency, Hichilema polled 22,224 votes while Mundubile received 1,006.

In Kalumbila Constituency, Hichilema recorded 18,074 against 912 for Mundubile.

These results are particularly significant because Mundubile has been building strong margins in parts of Northern, Eastern, Luapula and Muchinga provinces.

However, the latest figures demonstrate the importance of the size of the margins rather than simply the number of constituencies won.

Mundubile continues to record victories in several constituencies, but some of Hichilema’s wins are producing margins of tens of thousands of votes.

For example, in Mpika North Constituency, Mundubile received 19,489 votes against Hichilema’s 4,322. In Lavushimanda’s Mfuwe Constituency, Mundubile polled 10,423 against Hichilema’s 3,061.

In Kapoche Constituency in Eastern Province, Mundubile received 14,264 votes against Hichilema’s 6,740, while in Shinwang’andu he polled 16,575 against 6,676 for Hichilema.

Mundubile also maintained strong support on the Copperbelt.

In Kabushi Constituency in Ndola, he received 25,668 votes against Hichilema’s 10,739. In Ndola Central, Mundubile polled 17,527 against Hichilema’s 10,774, while in Dag Hammarskjöld Constituency he led with 7,587 against Hichilema’s 5,253.

The race remains competitive in some constituencies.

In Sinda, Hichilema received 9,994 votes against Mundubile’s 9,577, while in Nakonde Mundubile narrowly led with 8,150 against Hichilema’s 7,463.

In Chilanga North, Hichilema polled 11,366 against Mundubile’s 9,346.

But the latest tally shows that Hichilema’s strongest provinces are delivering very large numbers of votes, allowing him to widen the national gap even as Mundubile continues to win constituencies in the north and east.

The figures also underline the geographical nature of the contest. Mundubile has demonstrated considerable breadth of support, particularly across Luapula, Northern, Muchinga, Eastern and parts of the Copperbelt, while Hichilema is benefiting from exceptionally deep support in Southern and Western provinces and significant support in parts of North-Western and Lusaka.

With 121 of 226 constituencies now consolidated, the ECZ is expected to make another announcement this evening.

The current figures are therefore not final and do not constitute a declaration of the presidential winner. They remain subject to the completion of the remaining constituency results and the national verification and tallying process by the ECZ.