Zambia's electoral body meets presidential candidates

Zambia's electoral body on Friday held an emergency meeting with candidates in the presidential election following concerns raised over some results received so far.

The Election Commission of Zambia was supposed to start announcing results of the presidential election at 2 p.m. but later pushed it to 3 p.m and later 6.p.m, much to the annoyance of stakeholders who waited in vain at the National Results Center.

Cris Akufuna, the public relations manager of the electoral body said the commission was having a meeting with presidential candidates while the verification results were underway.

Priscilla Isaacs, the electoral body's director said on Friday morning that all the results being received from all the 156 constituencies will be subjected to thorough verifications before they are announced.

Anxiety has gripped the peaceful southern African nation as results of the presidential election are being awaited. There is tight security at the National Results Center.

Final results are expected to be announced late on Saturday, according to the electoral body.

Zambia voted in presidential, parliamentary and local government polls on Thursday. The vote also included that of city mayors and a referendum meant to amend part three of the constitution which deals with people's rights.

Nine candidates stood as presidential candidates, with incumbent President Edgar Lungu of the ruling Patriotic Front facing stiff challenge from main challenger Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development. Endit