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Final rallies before Zambian poll Final rallies before Zambian poll
(about 4 hours later)
Security is tight in Zambia as the main candidates in the presidential election prepare to hold their final campaign rallies on the eve of voting. The main candidates in the Zambian presidential election have held final eve-of-poll rallies, with both naming economic progress as their top goal.
The acting president, Rupiah Banda, and his main opposition rival, Michael Sata, drew thousands of supporters ahead of events in the capital Lusaka. Amid tight security, thousands turned out at events in the capital, Lusaka, for acting president Rupiah Banda and his opposition rival, Michael Sata.
The two men are hoping to succeed the late President Levy Mwanawasa who died in August after suffering a stroke. The two men hope to succeed the late President Levy Mwanawasa, who died in August after suffering a stroke.
The winner will serve until 2011 - when Mr Mwanawasa's term would have ended. Zambia's police are on high alert ahead of what is expected to be a close vote.
Tensions have risen during the race between Mr Banda and Mr Sata, a populist known as "King Cobra" for his stinging criticism of the government's failure to lift millions from poverty. The winner of the election will serve until 2011 - when Mr Mwanawasa's term would have ended.
Mr Sata, who lost the presidential election to Mr Mwanawasa in 2006, has already warned he will not accept the result if he loses and suspects vote-rigging. Rupiah Banda, a 71-year-old former diplomat who served as vice-president to Mr Mwanawasa, heads the governing Movement For Multi-Party Democracy.
Mr Banda, a 71-year-old former diplomat who served as vice-president to Mr Mwanawasa, heads the governing Movement For Multi-Party Democracy. In his final campaign address he promised to stick to the late president's policy of modernising the economy, which he said would ensure continued growth in a country where more than 60% of Zambians live on less than $2 a day.
The BBC's Tony Andoh Korsah was at the rally where thousands of Mr Banda's supporters, many draped in the party's blue and white colours, sang and danced.
Michael Sata promises to help Zambia's poorMichael Sata promises to help Zambia's poor
In his campaign he has promised to stick to the late president's policy of modernising the economy, which he says will ensure continued growth in a country where more than 60% of Zambians live on less than $2 a day. Meanwhile Mr Sata, who lost the presidential election to Mr Mwanawasa in 2006, urged his supporters to sleep outside polling stations to stop vote-rigging.
Mr Sata, of the opposition Patriotic Front, is vowing to transform Zambia within 90 days of taking office by forcing foreign firms to hand over 25% stakes to local investors. Our correspondent says Mr Sata's rally attracted droves of his Patriotic Front supporters to the southern neighbourhood of the capital.
He also plans to embark on a social spending programme to provide better jobs and housing. He said the party colours of green, white and blue were much in evidence and there was an air of expectancy that if Mr Sata wins, he will create jobs, lower taxes and put more money into their pockets.
There are two other candidates. Mr Sata has vowed to transform Zambia within 90 days of taking office by forcing foreign firms to hand over 25% stakes to local investors.
Hakainde Hichilema heads the United Party for National Development. There are two other candidates: Hakainde Hichilema, of the United Party for National Development and retired army general Godfrey Miyande, of the Heritage Party.
Godfrey Miyande of the Heritage Party is a retired army general.
Turnout in 2006 was more than 70%.Turnout in 2006 was more than 70%.