Sanday Chongo Kabange, AfricaNews reporter in Lusaka, Zambia Photo: Harrison Tuntu
The opposition in Zambia has taken an early lead in the latest results from Thursday's presidential by-election. Michael Sata has won 63.5 percent of the votes cast in 15 out of 150 constituencies, according to the Electoral Commission. Acting president Rupiah Banda is trailing with 29.5 percent.
Sata, 71, was defeated by late President Levy Mwanawasa in the 2006 election, after also leading in early poll results. The opposition leader said yesterday voting was being rigged in favor of Banda, and vowed not to accept the results if his rival won.
Sata had 187,863 votes versus 96,325 votes for Banda, election officials announced, Reuters news agency stated.
Only constituencies from four provinces have reported results to the commission so far, with most of them coming from the Copperbelt region. The presidential ballot yesterday was called to find a replacement for Mwanawasa, 59, who died in office on August 19 in France.
Hakainde Hichilema, 46, leader of the United Party for National Development had 6.38 percent of the votes reported so far, while former vice president Godfrey Miyanda, leader of the Heritage Party, received 0.61 percent, according to the commission.
The opposition in Zambia has taken an early lead in the latest results from Thursday's presidential by-election. Michael Sata has won 63.5 percent of the votes cast in 15 out of 150 constituencies, according to the Electoral Commission. Acting president Rupiah Banda is trailing with 29.5 percent.
