Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu on Monday conceded defeat and congratulated the president-elect Hakainde Hichilema.

Over the years, businessman Hachilema has unsuccessfully stood for presidential elections.

This time around the 59-year-old leader of the United Party for National Development won with a majority win.

Addressing the nation, Lungu allayed fears that he would dispute the results and call a state of emergency, saying instead that “I congratulate my brother”.

The 64-year-old leader of the Patriotic Front, conceded defeat putting an end to fears of any moves to block Hichilema from ascending to the presidency.

Lungu – often ridiculed by young Zambians who portray him as a drunkard – lost the vote because of rising food prices and the increasing presence of Chinese business.

In the early hours of Monday, the Electoral Commission of Zambia announced that Hichilema got 2 810 757 votes while Lungu had only 1 814 201.

The voter turnout was 71 percent.