Maravi

(TALKZIMBABWE) Rupiah Banda is Zambia’s Fourth President

Rupiah Banda is Zambia’s Fourth President
November 2, 2008

MMD candidate rupiah Banda and his wife Thandiwe chanting party slogans before he addressed the last campaign rally

Acting vice president Rupiah Banda will be declared the winner of the presidential by election today after taking the lead for the first time since the presidential poll results were first released by the Electoral Commission of Zambia on Friday.

The results so far showed Mr Banda with 708,683 votes versus 682,171 for Michael Sata, the leader of the opposition Patriotic Front. The count was based on results from 148 of 150 constituencies.

With two constituencies remaining, Mr Sata is unlikely to gain many votes to overhaul the gap as both of the constituencies are in the ruling MMD’s strongholds.

But the PF have not conceded defeat. They have announced that they would be asking the court for a complete recount due to discrepancies between voter tallies and registration lists.

Michael Sata on Saturday morning stormed the Electoral Commission of Zambia election results center claiming Thursday’s presidential poll had been rigged.

Mr. Sata, who was visibly angry accused the ECZ of releasing inflated figures.

He alleged that constituencies in Eastern Province can not have 75 percent turnout when the poll has been characterised by apathy.

“I have evidence that results are being inflated. They cheated me in 2006 and they want to do the same,” Sata said.

Most regional bodies have declared the elections free, transparent and fair

Two African regional bodies have declared the October 30 presidential election free and fair.

In their Preliminary reports the African Union Election observer mission and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa COMESA- say the election was held in a free and peaceful environment.

AU observer mission team leader, Anil Gaya, says the election took place in a peaceful atmosphere in which voters were able to cast their votes without intimidation.

Mr. Gaya said the Electoral Commission of Zambia-ECZ- organized an efficiently run election.

He said the Presidential election was in conformity with the declaration of the AU principles governing democratic elections in Africa.

And COMESA Observer mission leader, Johnson Wa Binana said the election was held in a peaceful manner.

Mr. Wa Binana also called on Zambians to remain peaceful and united.

Also The Electoral Institute of Southern Africa-EISA- has observed that the October 30 presidential and parliamentary by-elections were conducted in a transparent manner.

Patrotic Front leader Michael Sata talking to journalists outside the elections results centre in Luaska
EISA delegation leader, Leshele Thoahlan, says the polls were transparent because Zambians were allowed to freely express their will.

Mr. Thoahlan says the mission hopes that the management and announcement of Presidential results will be handled in the same manner.

He commended the people of Zambia for their peaceful conduct during the election period.

Mr. Thoahlan said this in Lusaka when he released a report on the October 30 polls.

The EISA Observer mission will produce a more comprehensive and final report on the entire electoral process within ninety days.

Labels: ELECTIONS, MMD, PRESIDENCY, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 5:54 PM