Victorious Zambian opposition leader, Hakainde Hichilema, has defeated Edgar Lungu with a wide margin in the 2021 presidential election.

Hichilema thanked Zambians for voting him into office.

In the final results, Hichilema secured 2,810,777 votes while Lungu was in second place with 1,814,201 votes.

Electoral Commission of Zambia returning officer for the Presidential election, Justice Esau Chulu declared Mr Hichilema as President-elect.

President-elect Hichilema will be sworn in on Tuesday after seven days if there is no petition from anyone aggrieved with the election results.