Zambia allows old voter roll

2008-10-14 13:43

Lusaka - A Zambian court on Tuesday ruled that electoral authorities can use a two-year-old voter roll in this month's presidential election, saying it was impossible to update it before the polls.

Judge Philip Musonda said the October 30 election was unforeseen because no one could have predicted the death of President Levy Mwanawasa, whose term was only due to end in 2011.

"It is impractical to register or prepare a fresh voters' roll for the October 30 elections," Musonda said in a judgment obtained by AFP.

"The decision is based on its peculiar facts that is the unanticipated, unbudgeted-for presidential elections caused by the death of the incumbent president," Musonda said.

Kelvin Bwalya, a lawyer representing the pro-opposition Anti-Vote Rigging group, had filed the case in the Lusaka High Court challenging the decision to use the old register.

The current roll was prepared for the last elections two years ago, and lists 3.9 million voters, out of the population of about 12 million. The opposition argues that the register does not represent the majority of eligible voters.

Four candidates are contesting the elections, but the main contenders are acting president Rupiah Banda and populist opposition leader Michael Sata of the Patriotic Front.

- AFP