There is a shift in the region away from the traditional dominance of liberation parties such as the ANC in South Africa and Frelimo in Mozambique
Hakainde Hichilema is so desperate to cling on to power that he is preparing the ground to amend the Constitution before the elections
Lungu’s defeat in the Zambian elections will be a constant reminder to the new government that the Zambian people have the power to vote for change
The opposition party hopes the sharp economic decline will swing voters their way
But both surveys ultimately suggest that Zambia’s governing party is under considerable pressure
Political tensions have been high in Zambia this year after the arrest and continued detention of opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema
Police opened fire on the opposition United Party for National Development supporters after the party refused to cancel a campaign meeting in Lusaka.
Zambia’s copper industry has been at the heart of campaigning for Tuesday’s presidential election and poses a big headache for the next leader.
Zambia’s Parliament has been adjourned until June after it refused to publish its new draft constitution, which took three years to produce.
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/ 15 September 2008
Political analysts believe that Rupiah Banda, the presidential candidate for the governing Movement for Multi-Party Democracy, will be easily elected.