Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has extended his lead in the country’s general election as vote counting continues.
According to the country’s electoral commission, Hichilema had secured nearly 62 percent of the vote after results from 71 percent of constituencies were announced on Monday, up from 59 percent recorded a day earlier.
The result places the incumbent on course for a first-round victory in an election overshadowed by opposition allegations of increased government repression and concerns over the conduct of the polls.
Hichilema’s closest challenger, Brian Mundubile of the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP), was reported to have secured about 36 percent of the vote, a decline of three percentage points from the previous tally.
Mundubile’s residence was reportedly targeted in an armed raid, while several opposition members have been arrested, according to police.
A presidential candidate must secure more than 50 percent of the vote to win outright and avoid a run-off. Final results are expected in the coming days.
Hichilema’s growing lead comes amid concerns over the fairness of the election and disruptions to the vote-counting process.
Tallying was suspended for about six hours on Friday following reports of violence against polling officials and allegations that marked ballot papers had been stolen.
The European Union’s election observer mission described the suspension as “disproportionate”, noting that only a small number of Zambia’s polling stations had reportedly been affected.
The electoral commission said the threat to the counting process had since been brought under control as the tallying resumed.
The election has also drawn scrutiny from international observers, who have raised concerns over the political environment and allegations of repression during the campaign.
