Hichilema amassed 2.8 million votes against 1.8 million votes for outgoing President Lungu in the 12 August election that recorded 70.1% voter turnout and ousted the ruling Patriotic Front (PF).
“This victory belongs to the men and women of Zambia, especially the youth – this was your election,” Hichilema said during his first briefing on the election of the United Party for the National Development (UPND), amplifying the role that the under-35s played in his victory. The youth accounted for more than 60% of total voters.
Lungu’s exit
In the aftermath of the dismissal performance, multiple sources within the PF and State House confirmed that Lungu was being pressured into rejecting the outcome, with his inner circle fearing prosecution after years of revelations of public looting and corruption.
However, on 16 August, Lungu conceded defeat saying he “will comply with the constitutional
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