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Counting starts after Zambia poll Zambian election results delayed
(about 21 hours later)
Zambian elections officials are counting the votes after a closely contested presidential election. The first results from Zambia's general elections will not be announced for several hours because voting is still underway in some areas, officials say.
There were long queues of people throughout the day. The results may not be known for several days, as partial results are not being declared. Election material reached remote parts of western Zambia so late on Thursday that voting was not possible and has been extended into Friday.
President Levy Mwanawasa faces a strong challenge from former minister Michael Sata, who has accused him of selling Zambian resources to foreign interests. No results from elsewhere will be released until voting has finished.
After voting, Mr Sata praised Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe. The presidential contest is expected to be a tight race between President Levy Mwanawasa and Michael Sata.
Election Commission President Chief Justice Ireen Mambilima urged Zambians to "keep cool" while waiting for the results.
"There is no way the result can be rigged," she said, adding people should not be in a hurry and force the commission to take short-cuts.
The people of Zimbabwe are not suffering. They are much happier Michael Sata Voting in pictures She said that giving partial results while some people were still voting could affect their choice.
She also said that turnout had been "overwhelming".
European Union monitors across the country reported no signs of trouble.European Union monitors across the country reported no signs of trouble.
But EU chief observer Annemie Neytes said it was too early to give a verdict.But EU chief observer Annemie Neytes said it was too early to give a verdict.
"The polling seems to have gone well but of course the most sensitive phase in the process has to begin," she told the BBC."The polling seems to have gone well but of course the most sensitive phase in the process has to begin," she told the BBC.
The people of Zimbabwe are not suffering. They are much happier Michael Sata Voting in pictures "That's the counting of the votes, the tallying of the votes, the transmission of the data, the publication of them and it's only after that will have been completed that we will be able to give an informed preliminary assessment of the whole process."
The polls were due to close at 1500 GMT, although those still queuing were allowed to vote.
Opinion polls have varied wildly, but the most recent ones put Mr Mwanawasa ahead. Allegations of fraud marred the president's narrow win five years ago.Opinion polls have varied wildly, but the most recent ones put Mr Mwanawasa ahead. Allegations of fraud marred the president's narrow win five years ago.
Economic successEconomic success
Mr Mwanawasa and his backers have boasted about steady economic growth and success in getting most of the country's foreign debt written off.Mr Mwanawasa and his backers have boasted about steady economic growth and success in getting most of the country's foreign debt written off.
He refused to talk to waiting reporters after casting his ballot near Lusaka. But opposition supporters say ordinary people have yet to feel the affects of the economic reforms - the revival in the crucial copper sector is slow, unemployment is high and there is concern over health and education standards.
Opposition supporters say it is time for a change after 15 years of MMD rule. It feels exciting to think that I have voted for the first time Naomi Banda, 22, studentLusaka Zambian's voting experiences Are you voting? They say ordinary people have yet to feel the affects of the economic reforms - the revival in the crucial copper sector is slow, unemployment is high and there is concern over health and education standards. It feels exciting to think that I have voted for the first time Naomi Banda, 22, studentLusaka Zambian's voting experiences Are you voting?
"We need to bring hope to Zambia... Can people eat inflation?" Mr Sata said as he cast his vote in the capital, Lusaka. As he cast his vote in the capital, Lusaka, Mr Sata praised Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe for seizing white-owned land.
He also praised Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe for seizing white-owned land.
"Mugabe hasn't done anything wrong. It is the imperialists, the capitalist-roaders who say he is a villain," he said."Mugabe hasn't done anything wrong. It is the imperialists, the capitalist-roaders who say he is a villain," he said.
"The people of Zimbabwe are not suffering. They are much happier.""The people of Zimbabwe are not suffering. They are much happier."
Zimbabwe's inflation rate is 1,200% - the highest in the world.Zimbabwe's inflation rate is 1,200% - the highest in the world.
Mr Mugabe denies ruining the economy, saying he is being punished for standing up for the rights of Africans.Mr Mugabe denies ruining the economy, saying he is being punished for standing up for the rights of Africans.
Mr Sata has promised to expel those foreign business leaders he accuses of mistreating their Zambian workers.Mr Sata has promised to expel those foreign business leaders he accuses of mistreating their Zambian workers.
But the president has been warning that a vote for Mr Sata could seriously damage Zambia's economic recovery.But the president has been warning that a vote for Mr Sata could seriously damage Zambia's economic recovery.
The opposition vote is divided between the other two main candidates - Mr Sata, of the Patriotic Front, and Hakainde Hichilema of the United Democratic Alliance, which includes former President Kenneth Kaunda's party.The opposition vote is divided between the other two main candidates - Mr Sata, of the Patriotic Front, and Hakainde Hichilema of the United Democratic Alliance, which includes former President Kenneth Kaunda's party.
Mr Hichilema, a successful businessman, is a political novice but is expected to secure strong support - especially among the middle classes.Mr Hichilema, a successful businessman, is a political novice but is expected to secure strong support - especially among the middle classes.
Godfrey Miyanda and Kenny Ngondo are also running for president. Godfrey Miyanda and Kenny Ngondo also ran for president.
Some four million Zambians are registered to vote in presidential and parliamentary polls, with results expected on Saturday.