By A Correspondent – Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has secured re-election after defeating opposition leader Brian Mundubile in a decisive victory, while his main challenger has reportedly gone into exile amid claims that he fears for his safety.

Hichilema received 2,965,326 votes, representing 60.49 percent of the 4,902,050 valid votes cast, according to the official results.

Mundubile finished in second place with 1,856,217 votes, or 37.87 percent.

The election result comes against the backdrop of allegations by the government that Mundubile was linked to a suspected armed-insurrection plot.

Authorities reportedly accused the opposition leader of having connections to the alleged plan after he was said to have been found at a location where security forces claimed to have recovered high-grade military weapons, ammunition and other materials allegedly intended for an armed uprising.

Mundubile has rejected the allegations, maintaining that he had no involvement in any such plot.

Before the election, Mundubile also accused the military of being deployed to influence the electoral process and tilt the outcome in favour of Hichilema.

Following his victory, Hichilema acknowledged voters who had supported the opposition and pledged that his administration would continue working for all Zambians.

“To those who preferred the ideas presented by our opponents, we hear you, and we will continue to work for you to ensure that every Zambian benefits from the development we are delivering,” Hichilema said.

The result gives Hichilema another mandate to lead Zambia, while Mundubile’s reported departure from the country adds a further political dimension to an election already marked by tensions between the ruling administration and the opposition.