Only the early count, but Zambia opposition leader takes election lead over Edgar Lungu

Both Lungu and Hichilema have expressed concern that the election could result in post-election instability By Farai Mutsaka and Jason Burke Supporters of Zambian opposition candidate Hakainde Hichilema begun celebrating Saturday as early election results show him leading in the tightly-fought, but tense presidential race. Ignoring calls by the Electoral Commission for people to wait peacefully for the final official results, young opposition supporters drove through the streets of the capital, Lusaka, playing music and singing. They gathered at the headquarters of Hichilema’s United Party for National Development. But signaling that he may not accept defeat, President Edgar Lungu asserted that the elections had not been free and fair in three provinces seen as opposition strongholds, citing violence and killings of his supporters, allegedly by the opposition.