The celebrations went on in Lusaka long after the results were announced Zambian opposition leader Michael Sata has been sworn in as president after beating incumbent Rupiah Banda in a tightly contested election.
Mr Sata, who had run for the presidency four times, was declared the winner with 43% of the vote."The people of Zambia have spoken and we must all listen," Mr Banda told journalists, wiping away tears after finishing his speech.
His Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) had ruled Zambia for 20 years.
Mr Sata - the flagbearer of the Patriotic Front (PF) party - was sworn in by the Chief Justice Ernest Sakala and handed the ceremonial presidential flag by Mr Banda.
Mr Banda told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme that he attended the ceremony to "greet my friend [Mr Sata] and to show the country that's how we should pass the mantle.
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End Quote Rupiah Banda Zambia outgoing presidentNow is not the time for violence and retribution. Now is the time to unite and build tomorrow's Zambia together”
"Deep inside me, I feel some kind of relief that this is over and this has been done in a democratic and civilised way," he said.
He said previous Zambian presidents had accepted electoral defeat and "I did not want to be the first one to disturb our democratic process". On Thursday, there had been riots in the country's northern mining region by opposition supporters impatient for the results of Tuesday's polls.
The results were declared with seven constituencies still outstanding, but electoral officials said Mr Banda would not be able to catch up with Mr Sata's lead.
The BBC's Louise Redvers in the capital, Lusaka, says with the declaration of Mr Sata's victory, the tension in the results centre dissolved into screams as PF supporters celebrated their win.
Thousands of people flocked outside the heavily guarded gates banging drums, beeping horns and waving flags.
'Man of action'
"We want change - especially for the youth," one woman celebrating on the streets of Lusaka told the BBC.
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Michael Sata - Profile
- Started in politics as municipal councillor and served as governor of Lusaka under Zambia's first President, Kenneth Kaunda
- Resigned from Kaunda's United National Independence Party in 1991 and joined Frederick Chiluba's newly formed MMD
- Served as MMD minister of local government, labour, and health. Was later minister without portfolio, the third-highest post in government
- Formed Patriotic Front in 2001, losing an election that year and in 2006 and 2008
Another reveller described Mr Sata as a "man of action".
"We've looked forward to this for a long time," he said.Mr Sata, who reportedly used to sweep floors at London's Victoria Station, has had a lengthy career in politics.
He served as an MMD minister for local government, labour and social security, and health before quitting in 2001.
Known as "King Cobra" for his venomous tongue, he has frequently criticised foreign mining firms - often from China - about labour conditions.
While the party has disputed media reports that it is anti-Chinese, his election is likely to shake up the way contracts are awarded, our correspondent says.
There were suggestions Chinese firms were bankrolling Mr Banda's re-election campaign in the run-up to the poll, with PF candidates expressing surprise at the amount of funds available to the MMD. But MMD officials have said the funds were raised through legitimate donations.
International observers had also criticised the MMD for abusing state resources during its campaign and noted media bias on the part of the state broadcaster.
But in his outgoing speech, Mr Banda rejected the allegations.
"We never rigged, we never cheated, we never knowingly abused state funds. We simply did what we thought was best for Zambia," he said.
'Writing on the wall'
He urged Zambians stands to stand together and "rally behind your new president".
"Yes, we may have different ideas, but we both want the same things - a better Zambia.
"Now is not the time for violence and retribution. Now is the time to unite and build tomorrow's Zambia together."
During the campaign, Mr Banda had highlighted the economic growth largely spurred by Chinese investments and the government's decision to scrap a windfall tax of 25% on mining companies.
But he told the BBC that the MMD's electoral message had failed to resonate with voters.
"Maybe didn't know what people wanted. I don't want to blame anybody, but ourselves. Perhaps we didn't see the writing on the wall," he said.
Mr Banda said that after the inauguration ceremony, he would go home to spend time with his family.
"I'll just play a little bit with my children. They give me solace," he said.
Mr Sata has promised to re-introduce the windfall mining tax and to promote policies that will bring greater benefit to poor people.
More than 60% of Zambians live on less than $2 [£1.29] a day.
Source: BBC News,
23 September 2011 Last updated at 13:39 GMT
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