Zambia's Hichilema wins second term as president

The Electoral Commission of Zambia announced early Tuesday that President Hakainde Hichilema has secured a second term in office, receiving more than 2.9 million votes in last Thursday's election to surpass the constitutional threshold required for victory. His main challenger, Brian Mundubile of the National Restoration Party for Unity and Progress (NRPUP), won 1.8 million votes.

Hichilema, 64, defeated Mundubile by a margin that exceeded the constitutionally required 50 percent plus one threshold. Commission chairperson Mwanagala Zaloumis noted that results from five remaining constituencies could not materially alter the outcome given the president's convincing lead.

Victory celebrations

Streets in the capital Lusaka filled with residents before dawn as news spread, with crowds gathering to dance and cheer despite the early morning cold. "Thank you Zambia. We are truly humbled by the trust you have placed in our hands, to hold our nation's highest office and be your servant once more," Hichilema said in a Facebook post shortly after Zaloumis declared him president-elect at the national election center in Lusaka.

Collins Maoma, national chairperson of Hichilema's United Party for National Development (UPND), welcomed the result and urged the president to maintain his leadership style. "Mr. President, please continue being the good leader that you are to this country. The people of Zambia have demonstrated once again their confidence and belief in your leadership," Maoma told reporters at the national election center.