Police say the arrests relate to demonstrations against the resulting favor of President Edgar Lungu.

Zambia’s Constitutional Court dismissed Hakainda Hichilema’s challenge of the election result without hearing it.

The electoral commission and ruling Patriotic Front have denied claims by the United Party for National Development that they colluded to rig the vote. i

Hichilema says he knew he would be arrested  as a way to silence his party and weaken its demands for justice to prevail over the stolen elections.

He and his deputy Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba have been charged with unlawful assembly and seditious practices.

The post Zambia’s opposition leader arrested after losing election appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.

Voters will also cast their ballots in a referendum on a Bill of Rights in the Constitution.

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The highest profile battle today is between President Edgar Lungu and his ruling Patriotic Front and wealthy businessman Hakainde Hichilema who leads the United Party for National Development.

Colorful flags and posters urge voters to make their choice after unprecedented clashes between supporters of the UP and UPND marred the run up to the poll.

Voters are voicing  concern about this and about the declining economy, youth unemployment and energy woes.

Lungu won last year’s snap poll by a small margin.

Today’s winner will need 50% plus one vote for victory.

The ruling party says its confident of achieving this.

The post Zambian votes after violence-torn campaign appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.