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Army quells Zambia poll protests Zambian challenger admits defeat
(about 4 hours later)
The army has been deployed in parts of Zambia's capital, Lusaka, as the results of Thursday's general elections are due to be announced. Zambian opposition leader Michael Sata has admitted defeat in general elections, although he says there was widespread fraud.
Soldiers were sent to poor areas after rioting by opposition supporters. The army has deployed to quell a second day of protests by his supporters.
They took to the streets after it was announced that opposition leader Michael Sata had dropped from first place with most results in. "Once Mwanawasa is declared the winner, I will congratulate him for successfully stealing the vote," he said, adding he would not appeal.
President Levy Mwanawasa, now leading the count, has appealed for calm in an address on state television. President Levy Mwanawasa has 43% of votes counted, while Mr Sata has 28%, with most results declared.
As his once-strong lead in the presidential vote evaporated, Mr Sata demanded a recount, saying there were serious discrepancies. Police fired teargas in several poor townships around the capital, Lusaka, where Mr Sata has a lot of support.
However, he has also urged his supporters to remain peaceful. Mr Sata warned he would make life difficult for Mr Mwanawasa.
"They [his supporters] should not pick up stones, they should not pick up pangas [machetes]. They should protest in a revolutionary manner," he said. INTERIM RESULTS Levy Mwanawasa: 43%Michael Sata: 28%Hakainda Hichilema: 27%120/150 constituencies counted Source: Electoral Commission
Mr Mwanawasa's 2001 victory was marred by widespread allegations of fraud. "I will go back to the people and thank them for their support but I will put up a big battle inside parliament and outside parliament," he said.
His supporters started protesting on Sunday, after Mr Sata's early lead was wiped away as results from rural areas were declared.
Some businesses and banks were closed on Monday after a second day of clashes in Lusaka despite Mr Mwanawasa's appeal for calm.
ClashesClashes
With results in from 135 of 150 constituencies, the electoral commission said that President Mwanawasa of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy had just over 43% of the vote.With results in from 135 of 150 constituencies, the electoral commission said that President Mwanawasa of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy had just over 43% of the vote.
The Patriotic Front's Mr Sata had 27%, while another opposition candidate, Hakainda Hichilema of the United Democratic Alliance, had 26%. The Patriotic Front's Mr Sata had 28%, while another opposition candidate, Hakainda Hichilema of the United Democratic Alliance, had 27%.
INTERIM RESULTS Levy Mwanawasa: 43%Michael Sata: 27%Hakainda Hichilema: 26%120/150 constituencies counted Source: Electoral Commission There is no need for a candidate to gain 50% of the ballot - whoever gains the most votes is the winner.
As the interim results were announced, supporters of Mr Sata began to protest outside Lusaka's main vote counting centre. As the interim results were announced on Sunday, supporters of Mr Sata began to protest outside Lusaka's main vote counting centre.
Armed police moved in to disperse them, firing teargas and making arrests.Armed police moved in to disperse them, firing teargas and making arrests.
Patriotic Front (PF) supporters then set up roadblocks with burning tires and fought with police in several outlying areas. Patriotic Front (PF) supporters then set up roadblocks with burning tyres and fought with police in several outlying areas.
Several shops were looted in these suburbs, Reuters news agency reports.
Too longToo long
PF Secretary General Guy Scott denied that his party had incited violence.PF Secretary General Guy Scott denied that his party had incited violence.
"The people who have been inciting violence are the people who have robbed the electorate," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme."The people who have been inciting violence are the people who have robbed the electorate," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
Protesters clashed with police in several areas of LusakaHe said it was not worth lodging legal complaints, as the process would take too long.Protesters clashed with police in several areas of LusakaHe said it was not worth lodging legal complaints, as the process would take too long.
"We want a clean election now," he said."We want a clean election now," he said.
Electoral Commission spokesman Crispin Akufuna said: "They should specify the case they have identified and we will follow up on that."Electoral Commission spokesman Crispin Akufuna said: "They should specify the case they have identified and we will follow up on that."
Electoral Commission President Justice Ireen Mambilima said she had received complaints from both the Patriotic Front and the United Democratic Alliance.Electoral Commission President Justice Ireen Mambilima said she had received complaints from both the Patriotic Front and the United Democratic Alliance.
Mr Sata has said as many as 400,000 votes appear not to have been counted in areas where he expected to do well.Mr Sata has said as many as 400,000 votes appear not to have been counted in areas where he expected to do well.
The violence and allegations of irregularities contrast with the voting on Thursday, which international observers praised as being generally efficient and transparent.The violence and allegations of irregularities contrast with the voting on Thursday, which international observers praised as being generally efficient and transparent.
Officials said the turnout from Zambia's four million registered voters was high.Officials said the turnout from Zambia's four million registered voters was high.
Mr Mwanawasa's campaign for a second and final five-year term was based on his strong economic record.Mr Mwanawasa's campaign for a second and final five-year term was based on his strong economic record.
But revival in the crucial copper sector is slow, unemployment is high and there is concern over health and education standards.But revival in the crucial copper sector is slow, unemployment is high and there is concern over health and education standards.
Mr Sata had vowed to secure a more equitable distribution of wealth if elected.Mr Sata had vowed to secure a more equitable distribution of wealth if elected.
Mr Mwanawasa's 2001 victory was marred by widespread allegations of fraud.