Zambia: Opposition takes early lead

  1. Posted on Friday 31 October 2008 - 08:08
    Sanday
    Image of Sanday
    Sanday Chongo Kabange, AfricaNews reporter in Lusaka, Zambia Photo: Harrison Tuntu
    The opposition in Zambia has taken an early lead in the latest results from Thursday's presidential by-election. Michael Sata has won 63.5 percent of the votes cast in 15 out of 150 constituencies, according to the Electoral Commission. Acting president Rupiah Banda is trailing with 29.5 percent.
    Zambia campaign_Harrison_tuntu
    Sata, 71, was defeated by late President Levy Mwanawasa in the 2006 election, after also leading in early poll results. The opposition leader said yesterday voting was being rigged in favor of Banda, and vowed not to accept the results if his rival won.

    Sata had 187,863 votes versus 96,325 votes for Banda, election officials announced, Reuters news agency stated.

    Only constituencies from four provinces have reported results to the commission so far, with most of them coming from the Copperbelt region. The presidential ballot yesterday was called to find a replacement for Mwanawasa, 59, who died in office on August 19 in France.

    Hakainde Hichilema, 46, leader of the United Party for National Development had 6.38 percent of the votes reported so far, while former vice president Godfrey Miyanda, leader of the Heritage Party, received 0.61 percent, according to the commission.

Reactions

  1. Posted on Saturday 01 November 2008 12:07
    tayanibanda
    Image of tayanibanda

    Tayani Banda
    10 berichten
    Lid sinds November 2008

    Zambians we are applauding you for demonstrating maturity in how you are handing your elections. We donot want a repeat of Kenya and Zimbabwe. MALAWI has electins next year...give us encouragement and good example..let this be a new beginining. We Africans have the capability to exist peacefully.

    I amnot particularly surprised with alegations of rigging..well..tell me an African election that has not had such claims??

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