Calls For Calm As Zambia Election Results Trickle In

LUSAKA, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th August, 2016) - Early results from Zambia's presidential election were released on Saturday, with poll observers calling for calm as delays in the counting process followed a tense campaigning period. President Edgar Lungu of the Patriotic Front (PF) and leading challenger Hakainde Hichilema were predicted to be in a close race for power as Zambia struggles with a weakening economy.

Hichilema, of the United Party for National Development (UPND), alleged on Friday that the count was being undermined by fraud. The Electoral Commission rejected Hichilema's allegations that it was colluding with Lungu's party over the result, describing the charges as "regrettable". By Saturday afternoon, partial results from 22 of the 156 Constituencies put Lungu ahead on 207,547 votes with Hichilema on 153,630, according to the commission, with the other seven presidential candidates far behind.