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.