Mwanawasa kicks off election campaign

LUSAKA – Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa has pledged to improve the country’s economy at the launch of his election campaign to seek a second term in office, state media reported yesterday.

“My administration had so many achievements within the past four years,” Mwanawasa said at a political rally in northern Zambia on Saturday. “I now want to work hard and improve the living standards of the people and develop the economy,” he said at a ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) rally in the town of Kasama about 800 kilometres northeast of the capital.The president was quoted in local papers yesterday saying he would call for presidential, parliamentary and local government elections after July this year but could not give a definite date on when the polls would be held.”There is great need for us to start serious campaigns because elections can be held in July, September or even October.It’s only myself who knows,” Mwanawasa was quoted as saying by the state-run Sunday Mail.Under the Zambian constitution, the serving president is the only one who has powers to set the dates for the elections.Mwanawasa urged the MMD to start campaigning for him at grassroots level, the newspaper said.”There is no need to wait and that is why from this minute, I officially open campaigns,” Mwanawasa told the rally.- Nampa-AFP”I now want to work hard and improve the living standards of the people and develop the economy,” he said at a ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) rally in the town of Kasama about 800 kilometres northeast of the capital.The president was quoted in local papers yesterday saying he would call for presidential, parliamentary and local government elections after July this year but could not give a definite date on when the polls would be held.”There is great need for us to start serious campaigns because elections can be held in July, September or even October.It’s only myself who knows,” Mwanawasa was quoted as saying by the state-run Sunday Mail.Under the Zambian constitution, the serving president is the only one who has powers to set the dates for the elections.Mwanawasa urged the MMD to start campaigning for him at grassroots level, the newspaper said.”There is no need to wait and that is why from this minute, I officially open campaigns,” Mwanawasa told the rally.- Nampa-AFP