LUSAKA – Zambia’s electoral body on Wednesday in Lusaka, delayed the announcement of presidential election results after voting was extended and the opposition alleged fraud.
The oppositions said the results, were originally set to be released on Wednesday, and are now expected
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on Thursday.
They said voting was also underway at 140 polling stations after rains disrupted it on Tuesday.
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An eye witness said the opposition front runner Hakainde Hichilema stormed a vote counting centre where unofficial preliminary results had given ruling party candidate Edgar Lungu more than 500,000 votes against 400,000 votes for himself.
He said, he complained that the electoral commission was favoring constituencies where the ruling Patriotic Front had taken the lead.
The by-election was called for a replacement to President Michael Sata, who died of an undisclosed illness on October 28.
The electoral commission said the voter turnout at 33.7 per cent, the worst-ever in Zambia.
Analysts said the 5 million electorate was suffering from voter fatigue after electing Sata three years ago and with a new election due in 2016.
Justice and Defence Minister Lungu emerged as the PF candidate after a battle over Sata’s succession exposed deep rifts within the party.
Lungu pledged to pursue the policies of Sata, who won widespread popularity by promising to redistribute wealth to the poor. (dpa/NAN)
