Zambian president faces many challengers

LUSAKA – ZAMBIAN President Levy Mwanawasa, who is seeking a second term in office in next month’s elections, is likely to face at least 11 challengers, according to a preliminary nominations list released yesterday.

Eleven opposition candidates have indicated they will run in the September 28 polls, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) said. Mwanawasa was expected to be the first to file his nomination on Friday and would be followed by his main rival, Michael Sata of the fast-growing opposition Patriotic Front, ECZ director Dan Kalale said.Another contender, Hakainde Hichilema of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), an alliance of three main opposition parties, will file his nomination on Saturday.Former defence minister Ben Mwila who is standing on the National Democratic Focus (NDF) ticket, will be in the fray, Kalale said.Other candidates in the race include the two former Zambian vice presidents Nevers Mumba of the Reform Party and Godfrey Miyanda of the Heritage Party.The other candidates from small opposition parties will file their nominations between Saturday and Monday.Chief justice Ernest Sakala will announce those qualified to stand in the presidential race next week.Candidates will be required to pay a non-refundable fee of 20 million kwacha (about 6 800 dollars) and be endorsed by 200 supporters who should be registered voters, Kalale said.Some opposition members had called upon Mwanawasa to resign on health grounds after he suffered a mild stroke in April.The 57-year-old leader made a surprise tour of a Lusaka township at the end of June to show he had recovered from the stroke and dispel rumours that he was unable to carry out his duties.Nampa-AFPMwanawasa was expected to be the first to file his nomination on Friday and would be followed by his main rival, Michael Sata of the fast-growing opposition Patriotic Front, ECZ director Dan Kalale said.Another contender, Hakainde Hichilema of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), an alliance of three main opposition parties, will file his nomination on Saturday.Former defence minister Ben Mwila who is standing on the National Democratic Focus (NDF) ticket, will be in the fray, Kalale said.Other candidates in the race include the two former Zambian vice presidents Nevers Mumba of the Reform Party and Godfrey Miyanda of the Heritage Party.The other candidates from small opposition parties will file their nominations between Saturday and Monday.Chief justice Ernest Sakala will announce those qualified to stand in the presidential race next week.Candidates will be required to pay a non-refundable fee of 20 million kwacha (about 6 800 dollars) and be endorsed by 200 supporters who should be registered voters, Kalale said.Some opposition members had called upon Mwanawasa to resign on health grounds after he suffered a mild stroke in April.The 57-year-old leader made a surprise tour of a Lusaka township at the end of June to show he had recovered from the stroke and dispel rumours that he was unable to carry out his duties.Nampa-AFP