00:00Zambia's incumbent President Akainde Ichilema has taken an early lead in the presidential election,
00:05with more than half of the constituency counted.
00:08The Electoral Commission says Ichilema has secured nearly 59% of the vote in 135 out of 226 constituencies,
00:17putting him on course for a second-term victory without a runoff.
00:21His closest challenger, Brian Mdubile, has just over one million votes.
00:26The final result is expected Monday, as counting continues.
00:31Thursday's vote was largely peaceful, but the campaign was marked by allegations of intimidation, arrest and violence.
00:37Counting was also briefly suspended after reports of attacks on polling staff and stolen ballot papers.
00:44The election is testing Ichilema's economic record, with growth returning,
00:48but poverty and high living costs still weighing on many households.
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