HH widens lead to 225,971 after 105 constituencies announced

PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has continued to widen his lead over Brian Mundubile according to the latest results announced by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).

President Hichilema has so far polled 1,056,812 votes from 105 constituencies announced, 225,971 more than his closest rival, Mundubile, who has so far polled 830,841 votes.

The 11 other candidates have collectively polled 40,084 votes, bringing the total number of valid votes counted in the 105 announced constituencies to 1,927,737.

President Hichilema's current votes represent approximately 54.82 per cent of the votes, which is above the 50 per cent plus one threshold needed to win the polls.

On the other hand, Mundubile stands at about 43.10 per cent, while the rest of the other candidates collectively account for about 2.08 per cent of the valid votes announced.

On Saturday, President Hichilema established a significant lead of 87,427 votes after results from 49 constituencies were announced having polled 438,708 votes against Mundubile's 351,281.

But after the addition of another 56 constituencies, President Hichilema's lead has grown to 225,971 votes, expanding his advantage by 138,544 votes during that period.

Meanwhile, Mundubile has so far won in more constituencies, 59 compared to President Hichilema's 46, but presidential elections are decided by the total number of votes rather than the number of constituencies won.

Despite winning in fewer constituencies than his rival, President Hichilema's lead in his strongholds gives him a substantial advantage compared to the margins with which Mundubile is leading with, in constituencies he has emerged victorious.

The Commission is expected to announce more results from the remaining 121 constituencies at 19:00.