Date set for Zambian vote
2008-09-10 08:26
Lusaka - Zambia will hold presidential elections at the end of October following the death of President Levy Mwanawasa in a French hospital last month, vice president Rupiah Banda announced on Tuesday.
"I have the honour to inform the nation that the programme of conducting the presidential by-election has finally been established," Banda said on national television.
"The presidential by-election shall therefore be held on Thursday, 30 October 2008."
Under Zambia's constitution, an election must be called within 90 days of the presidential office becoming vacant.
The ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) has elected Banda as its candidate. Banda took over the presidency after Mwanawasa's death on August 21.
His chances have been boosted by a decision by smaller parties to back him rather than contesting the election.
The All People's party, New Generation Party, Forum for Democracy and Development are some of the political parties that have thrown their weight behind Banda, according to officials.
Last month, Zambia's first lady, Maureen Mwanawasa stirred controversy by declaring that Finance Minister Mandu Magandi should succeed her husband not Banda.
Main opposition leader Michael Sata of the Patriotic Front, and Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development are Banda's main opponents in the presidential race.
Sata and Hichilema came second and third respectively behind Mwanawasa in the country's 2006 presidential poll.
- AFP