Zambia general election tomorrow

The time to reap what they have been sowing during the campaigning period has come for politicians as Zambians go to the polls tomorrow to elect a president, a new parliament and new local authorities. According to Electoral Commission of Zambia director Priscilla Isaac, 5 223 316 eligible voters are expected to cast their ballots with 60 000 officials expected to oversee the ballot.



The heavily contested general election will see incumbent president Rupiah Banda (74); of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy who replaced the late president Levy Mwanawasa in October 2008 battle it out with nine other candidates.

The main contender is Patriotic Front (PF) leader, Michael Sata (74).
Other candidates include Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development (UPND).
There is only one female candidate, Ms Edith Nawakwi (FDD). Tomorrow's tripartite poll will be the sixth presidential election in Zambia since the introduction of multi-party democracy in 1991 when President Kenneth Kaunda's United National Independence Party (UNIP) lost power to the MMD.



Zambia is Africa's largest copper producer and is among the top 10 in the world. According to the International Monetary Fund, the rising international price of copper - together with Chinese investment - have driven the economy to 7,6 percent growth last year and 6,4 percent the year before. President Banda, who presents himself as a man of the people, was born in Zimbabwe on February 19, 1937. He studied in Zambia, Ethiopia and Sweden and holds a degree in economics.

"In addition to my political experience I am also a farmer. I am a man of the land. I know what it is like when the rains are late and when a crop fails,"he told AFP in a 2008 interview.
Before entering politics he was a career diplomat who served Zambia in Washington, Cairo and the United Nations. He also held cabinet portifolios. Banda led several parastatals under president Kaunda.

President Banda is credited with presiding over Zambia's best-performing economies, and he hopes the electorate "will reward his management of the economy with a full five-year term", according to an AFP report.



During his campaigns, he said, "Since 2008, our miners have broken all production records. Old mines were saved, new mines have been opened. Multi-million-dollar investments have been made. And many mining jobs have been created," he said during his campaign.
"We have built bridges, rehabilitated roads, driving Zambia forward. New shopping malls are going up, infrastructure is being built. And many construction jobs have been created. Our list of achievements and progress is long."



When his government refused to appeal the 2009 acquittal of former president Frederick Chiluba, his critics accused him of being too soft on graft.
Last year, Zambia's high court also refused to recognise a 2007 London court ruling that found president Chiluba guilty of corruption.

Banda's critics also claim that he has not done enough to spread the wealth, with 64 percent of the population still living below the poverty datum line.
The main contender Michael Sata earned the nickname "King Cobra" for his biting political rhetoric. Sata has presented himself as a man of action and has promised to transform Zambia's fortunes within 90 days.



"Lower taxes and more money in your pocket" was a chorus among poor Zambians who attended his rallies to listen to Sata.

His symbol was a boat resembling Noah's Ark.
However, Sata's alleged poor health has been an issue with listeners on Radio Christian Voice at one time urging the 74-year presidential contender to take a break.