Hakainde Hichilema has been elected to a second term as Zambia’s president after receiving 60 percent of the vote, the Electoral Commission announced on Tuesday. The presidential election was held last Thursday in the copper-producing country and was described as largely peaceful. Hichilema, 64, has been in office since 2021 and faced 13 challengers in the contest.

His main rival, former provincial minister Brian Mundubile, received about 38 percent of the vote, according to Electoral Commission chairperson Mwangaala Jaloumis. Results from five of 226 constituencies were still pending, but the commission said they would not significantly alter the overall outcome. Hichilema thanked citizens for their trust and pledged to work for those who had voted for other candidates.

Hundreds of supporters of Hichilema’s United Party for National Development celebrated in Lusaka with singing, dancing and fireworks. Mundubile alleged irregularities in vote counting and document manipulation without providing evidence. Counting was suspended for nearly six hours on Friday after allegations of attacks on polling workers and ballot theft. International observers, including the European Union, warned the suspension could harm confidence in the electoral process and voters’ trust.