Zambia votes in presidential elections 20 January 2015 Africa There was a long queue of voters when polls opened in the Lusaka suburb of Kanyama Voters in Zambia are going to the polls in a presidential election caused by the death of Michael Sata last year. The vote is expected to be a close contest between Edgar Lungu from the governing Patriotic Front and Hakainde Hichilema from the United Party for National Development. The BBCs Nomsa Maseko in Lusaka says candidates have vowed to improve the education system and create jobs. The winner will serve out the remaining 18 months of Michael Satas term. Zambia is due to hold a general election in 2016. Largely peaceful In the Lusaka suburb of Kanyama, a crowd of voters applauded when a presiding officer declared the polling station open. Local food trader Grace Nyirongo said she was satisfied with the government. We want the government to continue with the projects started by Sata. Frankly theres no need to start afresh, she said. But vegetable seller Matron Siyasiya said her vote was going to make a difference, we are going to remove this...(PF) family. The Patriotic Front held its final rally in a suburb of Lusaka on Monday as campaigning drew to a close. Correspondents said the party has been presenting a united front following some bitter infighting over its candidate. Interim President Guy Scott, who was a close ally of the former president, told supporters that Michael Sata is still the spirit behind this party. PF candidate Edgar Lungu, right, attended a rally with interim President Guy Scott on Monday Mr Scott - a white Zambian of Scottish descent - was barred from contesting the election himself because his parents were not born in Zambia. Mr Lungu has portrayed himself as a candidate for continuity and has said he wants to complete economic development projects initiated by Mr Sata. His closest rival, the economist and opposition leader Mr Hichilema, says he has the experience necessary to revamp Zambias economy. Correspondents say the election campaign has been largely peaceful. However, electoral commission Chairwoman Irene Mambilima said she had noted with dismay some violent incidents. In a nationwide address on Monday night, Mr Scott vowed to crack down on any post-election violence. Polling stations opened at 06:00 (04:00 GMT) and will close at 18:00. The electoral commission said that counting of the ballots should begin shortly after polls close with results due to be announced within 48 hours. Michael Sata, who was Zambias fifth president, died in London last October at the age of 77. Hakainde Hichilema says Zambia needs his experience as an economist
Posted on: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 06:19:38 +0000