Zambia’s Lungu wins country’s presidential election

Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu has been declared winner of that country’s August 11 presidential election, the country’s electoral commission announced on Monday.

Mr. Lungu polled 1, 860, 877 votes (or 50.3%) to defeat Hakainde Hichilema, his major challenger who scored 1, 760, 347 votes (or 47.7%), the Lusaka Times reported.

Mr. Lungu addressed a huge crowd in Lusaka, the country’s capital, to celebrate his victory in the tight race.

Mr. Lungu assumed power in January 2015 following the death of Michael Sata, who ruled the country from September 2011 until his demise on October 28, 2014,

​​This year’s election in Zambia took place amidst widespread allegations of repressive attacks against the opposition.

The country’s main independent newspaper, The Post, was closed down in June over claims that its management failed to remit a huge amount in back taxes, a claim its editor, Fred M’membe denied.

President Goodluck Jonathan led a team of observers from the African Union to monitor the elections in the South African country. He returned to Abuja on Sunday.