Zambians vote on new president

LUSAKA, Zambia, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Zambians went to the polls Thursday to elect a new president after disputes among political parties were resolved, an election official said.

Four people hope to succeed President Levy Mwanawasa, who died Aug. 19 after suffering a stroke, allAfrica.com reported. Zambian law requires that a new president be elected within 90 days.

Leshele Thoahlane, chairman of the Electoral Institute of Southern Africa and former head of Lesotho's electoral commission, told AllAfrica that Zambia's commission reached accord with all parties "on all the issues over which there were disagreements."

He said concern had been expressed about extra ballots being printed, "but the matter was resolved jointly with the electoral commission," explaining that extra ballots have been stored and "can only be released with the consent of all the stakeholders."

While some news agencies indicate Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata, has the electoral edge, Thoahlane told allAfrica.com officials from all parties believe their candidates will win.