Everson Luhanga
Zambian president Edgar Lungu has cast his vote in the capital, Lusaka, and urged people to do the same.
The elections are described as tightly contested and will be determined by young voters.
Lungu who is seeking a second term in office will be fighting off his all-time opposition challenger Hakainde Hichilema.
There are also 16 candidates who are vying for the presidency with many smaller parties forming a coalition in the hope of ousting the current government.
“Please let them come vote and go back home and stay and wait patiently and peacefully for the outcome,” Lungu addressed the media soon after he had voted.
“I’ve voted. I’m going home to listen to the radio, read the newspapers, watch television and wait for the results to be declared just like everyone else.”
He said people shouldn’t hang around the polling stations.
“This will just cause confusion and congestion. The best thing to do is to quickly cast your vote and go home.”
Speaking to Scrolla.Africa from Zambia, a young first time voter Katemela Ng’uni said he went to the voting station as early as 5am to cast his vote.
“I’m hoping for a government that will prioritise young people to participate in the economy of the country,” said Katemela.
President Lungu came to power in 2015 after winning a disputed election to finish the term of President Michael Sata who died in office.
Lungu was elected to a full five-year term in 2016, although his main rival Hachainde Hichilema alleged there was fraud.
Hichilema, who is backed by smaller parties in a coalition, is making his sixth run for the presidency.
