Lusaka, Zambia (PANA) – Zambia’s Defence Minister, Edgar Lungu, who is also Justice Minister, has maintained an early lead in preliminary presidential election results announced Friday by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), receiving 701,089 votes or 48.72 percent of votes counted so far in 121 constituencies.
According to ECZ chairperson, Ireen Mambilima who announced the latest results in Lusaka, opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development is in second place with 674,185 votes, representing 46.85 of votes from the 121 constituencies.
Mambilima said the commission is yet to verify and tally the results from the remaining 29 constituencies.
Eleven candidates contested in the presidential by-election Tuesday following the death of President Michael Sata on October 28, last year.
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