Judge puts stamp on Zambia president's re-election

The Zambian president’s re-election bid was declared successful after a bitter campaign and violent protests following his victory at the polls.

A challenger claimed there was electoral fraud and said he would contest the results.

The Electoral Commission announced that President Levy Mwanawasa, praised by international leaders for his economics and anti-corruption policies, won 43% of the votes cast in Thursday’s election.

Mwanawasa’s chief rival, populist Michael Sata, polled 30% and businessman Haikande Hichilima won 25% of the ballots cast.

Moments after the results were announced, Zambian Chief Justice Ernest Sakala certified Mwanawasa’s re-election and ordered the president to be inaugurated for his second term today.

Under Zambian law the inauguration has to take place within 24 hours of the time the election is certified.

Sata said he would contest the results, saying on state television that “the whole process was fraudulent".

Yesterday, supporters of Sata clashed with police as post-election rioting spread into four of Lusaka's impoverished townships.

Witnesses said police fired live ammunition into the air in the Garden township to stop a crowd attempting to loot shops.

Sata has accused the government of manipulating the results. The government says the election was run cleanly, and foreign observers called Thursday’s voting largely smooth and transparent.