Roundup: Zambia vote peaceful amid high voter turnout

Zambia's electoral body and international observers have expressed satisfaction with a peaceful voting process amid high voter turnout.

Priscilla Isaac, director of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), said reports received from various parts of the country indicate that there was a good voter turnout.

Early this week, the ECZ had expressed concern that violence that had characterized the run-up to the elections would result in many voters failing to turn up to exercise their right to vote.

Violent clashes between supporters of incumbent President Edgar Lungu and leading opposition challenger Hakainde Hichilema characterized the campaign.

"The ECZ is pleased to report that there is a good turnout at various polling stations and the voting environment is calm and peaceful," she said on Thursday during a press briefing.

The electoral chief said most polling stations opened on time because materials were distributed on time, although there were a few polling stations, mostly in western and northwestern Zambia, where voting was delayed due to poor road network.

She said the late opening of the polling stations will be compensated as the stations will not close at 6 p.m. local time, which is the official time for closing of the voting process.

Long queues were a regular sight as people went to the polls in most parts of the country, with some voters turning up at polling stations two hours before the voting started.

Apart from electing a president, the electorate will be voting for 156 lawmakers, 1,624 local councilors, city mayors and for a referendum meant to amend part three of the constitution, which deals with people's rights.

The presidential race is tight between Lungu and Hichilema.

The opposition leader cast his vote at Kabulonga Secondary School, in Lusaka, the country's capital, and said Zambians expects free, fair, transparent and credible elections.

"Otherwise Zambians will decide for the leadership they require today; we campaigned but today is the day for the voter," he said.

He said whoever wins the elections does no matter as long as the elections are held in a free and fair environment.

Lungu, who cast his vote at John Howard's Apostolic Church in Chawama compound, said he was impressed with the voter turnout and urged stakeholders to allow the electoral body to conduct credible elections.

The European Union (EU) Observer team said the high voter turnout indicates that Zambians were eager to exercise their right to choose their leaders.

Chief observer Cecile Kyenge said a visit to a number of polling stations has revealed that the voting process was peaceful and without irregularities, according to state broadcaster, the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation.

Final presidential results are expected late on Saturday. Endit