Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu has been declared winner of the Presidential election in the country with a little over 50% of the total votes cast.

The results which are being challenged by the United Party for National Development, Zambia’s main opposition party, whose Presidential candidate Hakainde Hichilema polled 1,760,347 votes as against Lungu’s 1,860,877.

Lungu, former Zambia’s Justice and Defence Minister, assumed office on January 25, 2015 after narrowly defeating Hichilema in a by-election following the death of former President Michael Sata.

One of his first actions as President was to redude the death sentences of 332 prisoners to life in prison, while also condemning the massive overcrowding at the Mukobeko prison, a situation he described as “an affront to basic human dignity”.

The streets of Zambia’s capital, Lusaka, were crowded with supporters of Lungu’s Patriotic Front, PF, party in celebration of their victory at the polls.

Meanwhile, Some opposition parties, including Lungu’s main rival Hichilema, have described this election as a sham which does not reflect the will of the people.

Hichelma vowed to challenge the results at the appropriate court.