7 day forecasts

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

inside news24

Weather
Traffic
Lottery
Cpt: °C Pta: °C
Jhb: °C Bloem: °C
Dbn: °C PE: °C
7 day forecasts...

Jobs - Find your dream job

Cars - Search 1000's of new and used cars

AUDI

2009 Audi A3 2.0 T Sportback Manual - 24000kms
Lava Grey & Tan leather interior
R 275 000

Property - Find a new home

Travel - Look, Book, Go!

Free Games - TOO MUCH NEWS? TAKE A BREAK!

Kalahari.net - shop online today

Great Festive Savings on Books

Up to 30% Off ALL Books. 2.3 million titles on SALE.

Sleek New iPod Range. Order Your's Now!

iPod nano 16GB - Black, Was R2,499.00 Now R2,299.00! Save R200!

Up to 40% off Fabulous Festive Flicks

46 000 DVDs and Blu-Ray on sale now! Pre-order Up and District 9!

Up to 20% off ALL Music

100s of festive new releases now in stock! Now, Bump 25, Bon Jovi & more!

1000s of Festive Toys on Sale

Lots of Toys, free gift wrap, lowest prices on Lego Mindstorm, Ben 10, Hannah Montana & more!

Hot Deal of the Day!

Up to 30% off Books

Ends midnight, 30 November

2.3 million titles on sale! New Stieg Larsson, Jeremy Clarkson, Jamie Oliver & more!

Up to 40% Off Sale on All Books, Toys, CDs, DVDs & Games!