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| Long queues in tight Zambian poll | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Zambian voters have been queuing for hours on end to cast their ballots in general elections, with some arriving at polling stations before dawn. | Zambian voters have been queuing for hours on end to cast their ballots in general elections, with some arriving at polling stations before dawn. |
| There are five presidential candidates, with incumbent Levy Mwanawasa seeking a second five-year term. | There are five presidential candidates, with incumbent Levy Mwanawasa seeking a second five-year term. |
| He is facing a strong challenge from former minister Michael Sata, who has accused the president of selling off Zambian resources to foreign interests. | He is facing a strong challenge from former minister Michael Sata, who has accused the president of selling off Zambian resources to foreign interests. |
| After voting, Mr Sata praised Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe. | After voting, Mr Sata praised Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe. |
| The people of Zimbabwe are not suffering. They are much happier Michael Sata href="/1/hi/in_pictures/5388550.stm" class="">Voting in pictures European Union monitors across the country report no signs of trouble. | |
| Some voters have, however, complained about delays in casting their ballots. | |
| Opinion polls have varied wildly, but the most recent ones put Mr Mwanawasa ahead. | Opinion polls have varied wildly, but the most recent ones put Mr Mwanawasa ahead. |
| Economic success | Economic success |
| The BBC's Damian Zane in the capital, Lusaka, says Mr Mwanawasa, the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) leader, will be hoping his message of stability proves a winner. | The BBC's Damian Zane in the capital, Lusaka, says Mr Mwanawasa, the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) leader, will be hoping his message of stability proves a winner. |
| 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. |
| There are three lines and we have to vote in alphabetical order. I think I might be able to vote soon as my surname begins with 'B' Naomi Banda, 22, studentLusaka Zambian's voting experiences Are you voting? However, our correspondent reports others say they have yet to feel the affects - the revival in the crucial copper sector is slow, unemployment is high and there is concern over health and education standards. | There are three lines and we have to vote in alphabetical order. I think I might be able to vote soon as my surname begins with 'B' Naomi Banda, 22, studentLusaka Zambian's voting experiences Are you voting? However, our correspondent reports others say they have yet to feel the affects - 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. | Opposition supporters say it is time for a change after 15 years of MMD rule. |
| "We need to bring hope to Zambia... Can people eat inflation?" Mr Sata said as he cast his vote in the capital, Lusaka. | "We need to bring hope to Zambia... Can people eat inflation?" Mr Sata said as he cast his vote in the capital, Lusaka. |
| He also 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. |
| Warning | Warning |
| Mr Sata, a veteran of several previous governments, is a charismatic figure who revels in wowing the crowds. | Mr Sata, a veteran of several previous governments, is a charismatic figure who revels in wowing the crowds. |
| The president's supporters say he has improved the economy | |
| His message of lower taxes, more jobs and more money in your pocket is designed to gain the support of disgruntled Zambians. | His message of lower taxes, more jobs and more money in your pocket is designed to gain the support of disgruntled Zambians. |
| Two-thirds of Zambia's 11.5m population live on less than $1 a day. | Two-thirds of Zambia's 11.5m population live on less than $1 a day. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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 are also running for president. |
| Some four million Zambians are registered to vote in presidential and parliamentary polls, with results expected on Saturday. No partial results are being released. | Some four million Zambians are registered to vote in presidential and parliamentary polls, with results expected on Saturday. No partial results are being released. |