After 21 years in opposition, the United Party for National Development – UPND- will finally form government after its party leader Mr. Hakainde Hichilema was declared winner in the just ended presidential elections.
President Elect, Hakainde Hichilema who is fondly known as HH, becomes the 7th Republican President of Zambia after polling 2, 810, 757 against his closest rival outgoing Republican President, Edgar Lungu of the Patriotic Front who polled 1, 814, 201 votes.
Hichilema’s win ends PF’s ten year rule which has been marred by corruption allegations and economic mismanagement which has led to a high cost of living for most Zambians.
Lungu’s fall from power has largely been seen as a protest vote from Zambians united to vote across partisan lines to unseat a government seen to be corrupt, arrogant and uncaring.
The UPND administration is inheriting a run down economy, a poor performing local currency and an unsustainable debt burden contracted by the outgoing regime for infrastructure development.
The Zambian people will be unforgiving if the UPND fails to meet its campaign promises to provide free education, lower taxes, reduce the high cost of living and provide opportunities for the Youths.