Zambia votes in presidential elections

There was a long queue of voters when polls opened in the Lusaka suburb of Kanyama

Voters in Zambia are going to the polls in a presidential election caused by the death of Michael Sata last year.

The vote is expected to be a close contest between Edgar Lungu from the governing Patriotic Front and Hakainde Hichilema from the United Party for National Development.

The BBC's Nomsa Maseko in Lusaka says candidates have vowed to improve the education system and create jobs.

The winner will serve out the remaining 18 months of Michael Sata's term.

Zambia is due to hold a general election in 2016.

Largely peaceful

PF candidate Edgar Lungu, right, attended a rally with interim President Guy Scott on Monday

In the Lusaka suburb of Kanyama, a crowd of voters applauded when a presiding officer declared the polling station open.

Local food trader Grace Nyirongo said she was satisfied with the government.

"We want the government to continue with the projects started by Sata. Frankly there's no need to start afresh," she said.

But vegetable seller Matron Siyasiya said her vote was "going to make a difference, we are going to remove this...(PF) family".

The Patriotic Front held its final rally in a suburb of Lusaka on Monday as campaigning drew to a close.

Correspondents said the party has been presenting a united front following some bitter infighting over its candidate.

Interim President Guy Scott, who was a close ally of the former president, told supporters that "Michael Sata is still the spirit behind this party".

Hakainde Hichilema says Zambia needs his experience as an economist

Source: bbc.com

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