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Huge voter turnout in Zambia polls

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Voters waiting to cast their votes at Kalingalinga Middle Basic School, Lusaka
Voters waiting to cast their votes at Kalingalinga Middle Basic School, Lusaka

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Voters waiting to cast their votes at Kalingalinga Middle Basic School, LusakaZambians have turned out in large numbers to vote in the general elections, observers say is the closest contest in the country’s history.

Most polling stations opened at 06:30 Hours and are expected to close at 18 Hours in the evening.

Some voters in the capital Lusaka made their way to the polling stations as early as 04 Hours.

Many observers have said the early turn out might cast doubts of voter apathy which has characterised the recent elections in Zambia.

There have been no incidents of violence so far as the process has taken off peacefully in most parts of the country although the run up to the vote was marred by sporadic incidents of violence.

There are nine presidential candidates taking part in the election but the race is clearly between incumbent Edgar Lungu and his main challenger Hakainde Hichilema of the opposition UPND.

Zambians also voting for a Referendum on a new Bill of Rights.

The country’s Elections Commission has pledged to release the final results within 48 Hours.

Security at polling stations is tight and many local and international election observers are moving about monitoring the process.

There are   a total of 6, 698, 372 voters registered in the 2016 voters register.
The winner of the 2016 elections should get more than 50 percent of the vote after changes to the constitution.

President Edgar Lungu took time to vote at Andrew Mwenya Polling Station in Chawama at 10hrs while his running mate Inonge Wina voted at Muoyo basic school polling station in Nalolo Constituency at 9:40 hours

Meanwhile, FODEP says the voting process, which is currently underway, started peacefully.
“Our monitors across the country have observed that there were no critical incidences when voting started in the polling stations. Our monitors have reported that polling stations opened in time apart from a few that started the voting process a few minutes after 06:00 hours,” says FODEP President Shepard Chilombe.

Mr Chilomne said FODEP has deployed 5, 000 monitors in 96 constituencies, 74 districts in the 10 provinces and through these monitors, we have observed that there may be low turnout on the referendum vote.

EU EOM Zambia Chief Observer Cecile Kyenge talks to voters waiting to cast their votes-in Lusaka.
EU EOM Zambia Chief Observer Cecile Kyenge talks to voters waiting to cast their votes-in Lusaka.
Kabwata aspiring candidate Maiko Zulu casts his vote
Kabwata aspiring candidate Maiko Zulu casts his vote

“Our monitors have observed that in many polling stations, voters were shunning the referendum booth, which was an indication that the referendum vote was likely to receive a low turnout. FODEP monitors also observed that so far, presiding officers were conducting themselves professionally,” he said.

editor
editorhttp://www.lusakatimes.com

89 COMMENTS

    • Voters in PF strongholds have turned out in huge numbers………be afraid, be very afraid ba UPND pwa ha ha ha ha.

    • Nostradamus, your tribal thinking is now making you go crazy. How do you expect, in this, era, everyone to be registered to vote in his village. Do you expect that to feasible. maybe in Southern province.

      That is why we are saying NO to such kind of backward logic. We are saying YES to being Zambian. Period. Away with tribalists!!!! ZWAAAAAA Tribalists!!!!!!

    • @Nostradamus. I know your village is under that Mongu Kalabo Bridge, are you there to vote. I can see your thumb doesn’t even have the ink that’s making us proud.

    • @Nostradamus
      Hello! I found 2 missed calls from you. I was in the voting booth., yes I have voted.. Lungu was trying to call me in the morning ” offering” free Jameson…. But too late.

    • Huge numbers at the closing rally and huge turn out the very next day. What do you make of this? THE WRITING IS ON THE WALL. Numbers don’t lie. Let him/her who has wisdom work out.

    • “Our monitors have observed that in many polling stations, voters were shunning the referendum booth, which was an indication that the referendum vote was likely to receive a low turnout. FODEP monitors also observed that so far, presiding officers were conducting themselves professionally,” he said.”

      MOST PEOPLE OBEYED HH AND YOU SAY THEY DIDNT VOTE FOR HIM.

    • @Ndobo, you win, I spent 6 hrs pa line and 2 hours in booth itself stirring at those presidential faces. I voted on a ladies, I don’t need know name. Women looked hotty on those terrible quality ballots.
      I had no time for referendum.

    • Uzalila mwaice. UPND can only lead in Southern. Actaully we are giving UPND 100% in Southern Province so that they can see how unpopular they are in this election. You are fishing from the tribal pond and there is no new fish there. PF has a lot of new fish in this election.

      I hear HH has had a heart attack!!!!

    • BreaKing News.

      This is the end of HH.

      Eastern, Copperbelt, Munchinga, Northern, Luapula and Lusaka has gone to PF.

      In none has done good in Western for PF.HH is only left Southern, Northwestern and small packets of Central.

      RB thank for bringing the Big Eastern Outcome.

      HH to retire tomorrow!!

    • Icalo Lifupa, being sick is an understatement, there are millions of us who actually crazy sick for PF and we did come out in numbers today to show exactly what we mean. We are really crazy sick with love fo ECL and PF. Thank you for the compliment. No offence taken, thank you!!!!

    • Breaking or Brokeman’s News! Zealots on the board, go and work man. Go earn krugers to buy nshima for your next plate of meal!

    • In your dreams that HH is leading. If you are in Zambia you will know that Edgar Lungu has won this election together with PF.

      So obvious

    • These are the outcomes of PF and their ability not to listen. Same with Ministers staying in office …. and someone still wants to convince me that these are people that need to take us into the future 🙁

  4. Last time, UPND turned out in huge numbers, while in PF strongholds there was marked apathy. This should worry UPND because they are fishing from the similar number of fish from the same pond as in the last elections, while the PF pond is surging with many new number of fish.

    PF is winning without a re-run no doubt!!!

    Well, I am now getting ready for the inauguration of ECL!!!

  6. he big problem of you tongas and UPND you think that you are very special than any tribe in zambia which is not true . You think you can win an election through your tribal mentality ,the truth is even this year your man will loose just wait .
    Iam just from voting in mazabuka and today i have come to know that tongas you are very tribal tribe i have never seen or head of in this word i have no better word to describe you but i leave that in the hands of GOD .
    To my fellow peace loving zambians in lusaka,corperbelt,northen ,muchinga,luapula ,eastern and central please lets follow suit and cast our vote in numbers and teach these tribalist a lesson again
    pipo here are not even voting for the referendum saying thats what HH said . If any one is thinking that its a lie wait and see…

    • This is not about which tribe one comes but about quality of governance one will bring to Zambia. Are you guys real? Do you still believe a DUNUNA kind of President? This is not the Zambia we had just a year ago. We as Zambians have sunk so low to allow such rubbish of governance to go on. Zambia need to be put back on the world record as a country of progressive high calibre people as was. We Zambians should learn to believe in ourselves and fly higher ‘Like an Eagle in the Sky”. This is the Zambia I have lived for and not the Dununa Reverse king of Zambia. NO!

    • Icalo, you are tribal. For you one qualifies only if he is Tonga. No matter how hard working someone can be, to you as long as he is not Tonga it does not count. We have voted against tribalism!!!!

    • Ass igai, am not as you have alleged, as can be seen from my id, am a Bemba person from Shibwalya Kapila in Mporokoso. So being tribalism is bull.

    • Tell us what kind of governance HH can bring to Zambia
      1. He is a white collar thief
      2. He is a known tribalist
      3. He is selfish-Namwala land grabbed
      4. He has no respect-journalist insulted
      5. A Satanist in a Christian Nation
      6. Compares himself toGod-I will fix it all
      7. Dull – but to himself none is as intelligent as he is
      8. Unable to handle the stolen riches
      9. Always a winner before losing
      10.Add on to the long list of negatives about this HAKAIVOTELA HUMWINE

    • It is very folly for anyone to think thousands can wake up at 4am to go and vote for more hunger, very folly indeed! I voted for mmd in 2011, didn’t vote in 2015 and was number 12 in the queue today, you really think I wasted my sleep to go and maintain a failed regime! Ba PF you have intimidated us enough, continue with your noise as we vote you out

    • The problem is that you want to generalise what you are being told by HH and other UPND leaders That is how you have been brainwashed. There many people out there who have seen and appreciate to good that ECL and PF have done and are willing to show it through the ballot.

      The other problem is that UPND has laced its campign with message of mere hatred for ECL for beating HH in the last election. Many voters see this as the major reason why you hate ECL. The other one is that UPND is associated with regionalism, and many do not want this to pollute the Zambian way of life and are saying no that today.

      There is no revolution because there is no climate for but in minds or imagination of UPND. Look at how peaceful it was today! Which revolution are you talking about. ECL is winning…

    • Kampeni, some of the changes HH will bring for starters is for individuals like your self to have respect for the law. You can not just go on accussing others without proof. If you know something, please share with security agencies in Zambia. Otherwise, the police should arrest you and be prosecuted for hiding key information which could have helped them to convict HH for various climes you have highlighted. If you cannot do this immediately, I would say you are a fake and you do not deserve a penny.

  8. If theres is good turnout in the Mining areas where there is massive loss of jobs who should be worried?

    Are you sure the huge turnout in Northern province and Muchinga is not following GBM?

    • Iron, for sure, Northern province is bigger than GBM. PF is coming out even stronger than last time. The GBM gamble was a bad one. If it was someone else maybe but not this woman abuser, he is not appealing to most voters.

      Those voters are out to vote for PF.

  9. Huge voter turnout spells doom for the other camp. This time western and part of southern nwp included is going to give pf some votes. We did a lot of home work and strategic campaigns. If you are pf enjoy with your spouse girl friend coz you deserve to be happy.
    Upnd charlatans should start sensitizing their tribes mate to stop this sheet of voting on tribe.

  10. Huge voter turn out when the economy is not doing well spells doom for the ruling part. The tendency among the voters when all is well is to stay at home. But when things are not fine they will go in large numbers to express their views. I am sure all honest PF strategist are worried with the huge voter turnout. Mind you this election is about the economy. I end my case.

  13. Tuleloleshafyeee!!!
    Ba PF balibwino Sana!
    When did copperbelt become a Tonga stronghold? Or even Mchinga, Luapula & northern? Tonga strongholds?

  14. Excuse me, the poll is not a definite close contest. It might be close contest on perception basis and not research. The statement is as good as a bogus opinion poll. It is a unanimous voice and victory for people who appreciate development. Watch this space.

  15. Inaccurate account on the Referendum. There are two streams. one for registered voters who are casting for the five levels. 1presidential, 2.parliamentary, 3.Mayoral, 4.Concillor and 5. REFERENDUM! This is mandatory for every regisred voter.

    The second stream or line is for those who are NOT registered as voters, but have National Registration Cards (NRCs). These are expected to cast their vote on the referendum question only! This is the one this reporter seems to be referring to. On this line, it seems there are few people going to cast their votes. But let it be known that people are voting on the referendum question in both streams.

    There was just inadequate explanations on the process requirements prior I think.

  16. It is folly for any party or cadre to start proclaiming they are winning. All the pictures show normal people and not the kaponyas that have been shouting fake slogans. My prayer is that Zambia will move on from its serious problems because of the choice made today. Zambia decides. God be on your side mother Zambia.

  17. MINERS IN ZAMBIA HAVE STOPPED VOTING OUT OF “HUNGER.” THEY ARE NOW ABLE TO ANALYSE WHY THEY ARE HUNGRY. THEY COMPREHEND WHY THE ECONOMY IS BAD. THEY KNOW THAT THE PRICE OF COPPER IS NO LONGER FAVORABLE ON THE GLOBAL MARKET. THEY UNDERSTAND THAT A CATTLE WRESTLER CANNOT JUST CAME FROM HIS KRAAL IN THE SOUTH AND CLAIM THAT HE WILL INCREASE THE PRICE OF COPPER. MORE SO IF ALL THAT HE HAS TO HIS CREDIT IS AN OLD ECONOMICS QUALIFICATION AND SOME TEN VAGUE POINTS ALLEGEDLY DESIGNED TO FIX THE ECONOMY. BUT MINERS ARE ABLE TO SEE WHETHER THIS MAN ONLY WANTS TO BREED HIS CATTLE BY PLUNDERING THE NATIONAL TREASURY. MUCH MORE, THESE MINERS ARE ABLE TO “SONTA” WHAT THEIR BELOVED HAS DONE AND WHERE HE WILL TAKE THEM……….OH, I NEED TO GO AND VOTE NOW.

  18. THE REFERENDUM IS SUPPOSED TO BENEFIT ZAMBIANS NOT THE GOVERNMENT
    ==========================
    If you shun the referendum, you are just fixing yourself not government. If the referendum fails, you fail in many ways than one. Government will still function whether you vote yes or no. Whether this issue is politicised or not. Maybe Zambians don’t just give a damn about their rights. But for some of us, it’s a big deal. What could the government have done with incessant obsession of rhetoric talking points from “schooled” fellaz like Miyanda, Chipenzi and the likes?

  19. Huge voter turnout in Petauke, Chipata Central ,Kasenengwa, Vubwi, Lundazi, Chama and Katete. Long queues up to now. Voting will go beyond 21:00hrs.

    • Tongas are everywhere, Lusaka, East, West, Kopala, NWest, Central and everywhere in Zambia. They are also more than 64% of national population.

      Forget South but watch for the tsunami from NWest, Central, and everywhere…lol

    • I was voting in Kanyama and many kept saying we want change……let’s see the court. Lots lots lots of people.

      How and when did UPND gather such support?

    • It was people on the queue….like this lady who said civil servants all want change.

      But then, talk is cheap…..the results will be known by mid morning tomorrow if indeed it is the majority that hanker for change.

  22. We told Chakolwa to go on Voluntary Separation Service but he refused so we are showing him the exit door to Chawama bars.

    • Amen! We all know that the PF are just comforting themselves but deep down they are worried! As someone has already said, people don’t wake up at 4am to go and vote when they are happy. As for me and people I was in the queue with for 3hours, we have voted for CHANGE

  23. Chisenga and Assegai you will crying my friends and be shocked with what you will hear within the next 24hrs I told you last time that you can’t mock God with your PF ati Christians for Lungu is he God? now wait you see wat will happen.

    • Kayes, we are confidently waiting my friend. No pressure on our part, the pressure is on HH and UPND! Our victory is signed, sealed and delivered. Yes, we have no apologies for asking God’s favour. He is God!!!

  24. Its done! i have voted for one and only ECL! Iam just wondering where this NGO upnd is getting the courage to say they can win the elections! Surely I arrived in my home town Mufulira and i have traversed across Kamuchanga, Kantanshi, Kankoyo, Kawama East and west, Mokambo, Minambe, Butondo and in all these areas you are greeted by PF whether! Be strong bane ba upnd because the turn out is massive!

  25. Truth be told, a high voter turn out has never favored the ruling party; but it’s ok for people to console themselves before the truth comes out. I hope you know that the voter turn out in Luapula (where everyone is happy with PF) is very low. Silent revolution

  26. Just go vote guys, I cast mine around 09:40hrs this morning. Was good to see so many people going to vote. I was reminded of the 1991 when we cast our protest vote. What makes me sick these days is the frequent use of the word “tribe”. More often than not, I tend to believe that the people who label their friends tribal are themselves guilty of being tribal. Perhaps its time one critically analysed who a tribalist is. I hope we are not saying that one may not be proud of one’s tribe. I do believe one can still afford to be proud of their tribal belonging, without necessarily demeaning other tribes. We only need to uphold our level of civilisation. At this point I would love to get the views my sister Mushota. I must confess these days I like her mature contributions- and I yearn for…

  27. Low referendum vote…are people yielding to UPND’s call? Does this also translate to which party they are likely to vote for??? Just thinking loudly!!! Forward !

  28. Everyone rejecting referendum is voting for change. Two voters in front of me rejected and two behind me also refused to collect the referendum papers just like I did, and Election ladies were just smiling at us. All these pipo turning up in numbers as early as 04:00 hrs are upset with PF. They are voting for change.

    • Democracy means respecting the views of those with whom we disagree. No one should be said to be “sick in their heads” simply because they voted for a particular party candidate. We have to be able to see things differently. That is democracy’s strength, it’s weakness.

  33. TO ALL MY FELLOW BROTHERS AND SISTERS ON THE BLOGS, IT IS DONE!!! VOTING IS OVER AND WE ALL HAD OUR OPINIONS NOW WE LET THE PROCESS PLAY OUT. IT WAS DEFINITELY AN EXERCISE IN DEMOCRACY. THOUGH OUR DIFFERENCE WERE POLARIZED AT TIMES AND WE ALL GOT EMOTIONAL IN CERTAIN INSTANCES,THE ELECTION IS OVER. NOW WE NEED TO JOIN HANDS AND MOVE OUR COUNTRY TO THE NEXT FRONTIER. IT WAS A JOY TO TAKE PART IN SOME SMALL MEASURE IN OUR DEMOCRATIC DISPENSATION. AT THE END OF IT ALL WE ARE ONE ZAMBIA ONE NATION. LOVE YOU ALL !!!! TO THE CANDIDATES I SAY GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU EVEN THOSE THAT I DISAGREE WITH. AT THE END OF THE DAY THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE HAVE NOW MADE THIER CHOICE!!! LOADIST IS OUT OF CAMPAIGN AND ELECTION MODE. NOW WE NEED UNITY UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN AT THE BALLOT BOX!!!!!!

  34. It would be out of character for Zambians to wake up so early, most of them on near empty stomachs, to go and vote for a violent drunkard who had done nothing but bullying and murdering people ever since he stole the presidency. If nobody tampers with the vote, Lungu/PF is gone for good. People are fed-up with mediocrity and incompetence.

  35. THE PEOPLE TURNED UP VERY EARLY IN LARGE NUMBERS TO DIPLICATE AND COUNTER WHAT HAPPENED IN SP IN 2015 EXACTLY WHAT ECL HAS BEEN TELLING THEM

  37. MANDEVU
    PATAMATU WARD
    President Edgar Lungu (PF) 760
    Hakainde Hichilema (UPND) 690

    KWACHA WARD – KITWE
    President Edgar Lungu 465
    Hakainde Hichilema 415

    SOLWEZI CENTRAL
    KALUMBILA NORTH POLLING STATION
    HICHILEMA 315
    PRES. LUNGU 43
    TILYENGI 1
    NAWAKWI 0

    PEMBA
    SIBALUMBI POLLING STATION
    HICHILEMA 423
    PRES LUNGU 2

    CHILANGA
    CHOWA POLING STATION
    HICHILEMA 332
    PRES. LUNGU 114
    TILYENGI KAUNDA 2

    CHIBOMBO
    KATUBA
    HICHILEMA 389
    PRES. LUNGU 101

    LUFWANYAMA
    MUKUMBO WARD
    HICHILEMA 204
    PRES. LUNGU 171

    KAMAKANGA
    HICHILEMA 354
    PRES. LUNGU 53

    ARTHUR WINA POLLING STATION – CHILENJE (LUSAKA)
    PRES. LUNGU 2, 234
    HICHILEMA 256
    FDD 56
    RAINBOW 43
    UNIP 16

    Wusakile Constituency
    Nkwazi Polling station Stream 1
    PRES. LUNGU 291
    UPND – 172
    FDD – 5

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