/ 18 July 2001

NEW PARTY WINS LUSAKA BY-ELECTION

THE newly formed opposition Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) has won a parliamentary by-election in Lusaka which was marred by violence. “The FDD candidate won in 32 polling centres out of 34,” said an election officer, describing it as a “landslide victory.” FDD secretary-general Edith Nawakwi said her party’s victory signified a major shift in Zambian politics. She commended Zambians for opposing “(President Frederick) Chiluba’s dictatorship”. Four parties competed for the seat which fell vacant when then Zambian vice president Christon Tembo quit the governing MMD to join the FDD in May. Earlier, police fired teargas to end fighting which broke out on Tuesday between rival political parties at the close of polling – AFP