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Opposition 'lead' in Zambia polls No clear leader in Zambia polls
(about 4 hours later)
Early poll results in Zambia suggest the main opposition leader, Michael Sata, and his party are in the lead. Two days after polls closed in Zambia's general election, no clear winner has yet emerged, reports suggest.
Mr Sata is aiming to end the 15-year rule of the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy in Zambia by removing President Levy Mwanawasa from power. Opposition candidate Michael Sata has taken a lead in results so far from the capital and major mining towns.
Mr Sata is aiming to end the 15-year rule of the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy in Zambia's Levy Mwanawasa.
Some newspaper reports say President Mwanawasa has a substantial lead in a number of rural areas in what observers have called a well-organised election.
Mr Sata has warned of what he called 'ghastly consequences' if he is fraudulently deprived of the presidency.
Economy campaign
In the few constituencies declared so far following Thursday's vote, Mr Sata has won 40% of the vote, compared with 28% for Mr Mwanawasa.In the few constituencies declared so far following Thursday's vote, Mr Sata has won 40% of the vote, compared with 28% for Mr Mwanawasa.
Legislative election results also show Mr Sata's Patriotic Front leading.Legislative election results also show Mr Sata's Patriotic Front leading.
However government strongholds have yet to be counted.However government strongholds have yet to be counted.
President Mwanawasa campaigned on the success of the Zambian economy, for which he has won international respect.President Mwanawasa campaigned on the success of the Zambian economy, for which he has won international respect.
Mr Sata accuses him of failing to reduce poverty.Mr Sata accuses him of failing to reduce poverty.
'Keep cool'
Thursday's general election results were delayed after voting was extended in some remote western areas.Thursday's general election results were delayed after voting was extended in some remote western areas.
Election Commission President Chief Justice Ireen Mambilima urged Zambians to "keep cool" while waiting.Election Commission President Chief Justice Ireen Mambilima urged Zambians to "keep cool" while waiting.
"There is no way the result can be rigged," she said, adding people should not force officials to take short-cuts."There is no way the result can be rigged," she said, adding people should not force officials to take short-cuts.
The people of Zimbabwe are not suffering. They are much happier Michael Sata Voting in pictures Justice Mambilima said that turnout had been "overwhelming".The people of Zimbabwe are not suffering. They are much happier Michael Sata Voting in pictures Justice Mambilima 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.
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.
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.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.
It feels exciting to think that I have voted for the first time Naomi Banda, 22, studentLusaka Zambian's voting experiences Are you voting?It feels exciting to think that I have voted for the first time Naomi Banda, 22, studentLusaka Zambian's voting experiences Are you voting?
As he cast his vote in the capital, Lusaka, Mr Sata praised Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe for seizing white-owned land.As he cast his vote in the capital, Lusaka, Mr Sata 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.
During the campaign, Mr Sata promised to expel those foreign business leaders he accuses of mistreating their Zambian workers.During the campaign, Mr Sata 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. Godfrey Miyanda and Kenny Ngondo also ran for president.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 also ran for president.