Zambians have gone to the polls today to elect a president following the death of President Michael Sata last year.

About 5.1 million registered voters are expected to cast their ballots at about 6,456 polling centers dotted in 150 constituencies in an election where 11 candidates are contesting.

The polling centers opened at 6:00 a.m. local time and will officially close at 6:00 p.m.Edgar Lungu of the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) and opposition leader of the United Party for National Development (UPND) Hakainde Hichilema are the top contenders.