Zambians are electing a new president Thursday to replacelate President Levy Mwanawasa, who won international praise forprudent economic management policies and a crackdown on graft. The election,which political observes believe will be close, pits acting President RupiahBanda of the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) and main oppositionleader Michael Sata of the Patriotic Front (PF). But the latest poll conducted by the independent African market informationgroup Steadman seems to favor Sata with 46 percent, while Banda trails with 32percent. The leader of the opposition United Party forNational Development (UPND), Hakainda Hichelema follows at a distant third, with10 percent undecided.
From thecapital, Lusaka, political analyst Fred Mtesa tells reporter Peter Clottey thatenthusiasm is generally high ahead of today's vote.
"People are generally veryexcited and looking forward to voting following the mass rallies, which wereheld yesterday in the capital city. All the candidates are upbeat with theirsupporters, and people are generally expecting a favorable outcome for theirrespective candidates," Mtesa noted.
He said main oppositionleader Michael Sata has energized his party base ahead of today's vote.
"I think what has excitedthe people is that Mr. Sata is a politician that has been around for a longtime. He is a very seasoned campaigner and this time round, he has traversedthe length and breadth of Zambia making his message known to the electorate.And because of his charisma, I think a lot of people are excited that if hewins the election, we are bound to see change that would lead to the upliftingof the standards of living," he said.
Mtesa said the incumbency ofthe ruling MMD party could pose a significant challenge to the otherparticipating opposition parties.
"You cannot rule out theruling party, the MMD, because even though Mr. Banda is regarded as an outsidercoming from UNIP (United National Independence Party), he is acandidate for the ruling party, which has a machinery throughout the country.And therefore, they are expected to use the incumbent advantage to marshal thenecessary votes to win the election," Mtesa pointed.
He said Zambians seem to bealert and vigilant to prevent possible fraud during and after today's vote.
"There has been talk of thedanger of rigging taking place, and they are about saying the country is onalert looking out for any mischievous attempt to rig the election. But so far,a number of accusations have been made and have turned out to be unfounded. Andtherefore we all expect in the country that the elections would be conducted ina free and fair manner," he said.
Mtesa said the chairpersonof the electoral commission is well respected across the political divide andwould do a good job.
"I would say that firstly,the Electoral Commission of Zambia is headed by a highly respected judge,Justice Florence Mumba. And she is respected on both sides of the politicalspectrum, the ruling party as well as the opposition," Mtesa noted.
He said the electoralcommission seems to have improved upon the last election to make this electionmore credible.
"There has been a newdevelopment, which basically has improved the counting process. It means thatthe election agents of the various contestants would have to sign at thepolling station the results, and these are the results that would betransmitted to the election center in Lusaka. So the process has improved interms of transparency," he said.
Meanwhile,the army chief warned Wednesday that violence would not be tolerated, addingthat forces would be placed on high alert after voting ends today. This comesafter main opposition leader Sata alleged that rigging deprived him of victoryin the 2006 election he lost to Mwanawasa.
He is still accusing thegovernment and the ruling MMD of rigging this time around as well, and said hewill not accept the results if he loses. He is also calling on his supportersfrom a recent rally to sleep outside polling booths if possible to limit thechance of voter fraud in today's balloting.