It has been suggested that Zambian general election, 2006 be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since October 2006. |
A presidential election in Zambia was held on September 28, 2006. Incumbent president Levy Mwanawasa of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy was re-elected to a second term. His main competitors were Michael Sata of the Patriotic Front and Haikainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development.
Campaign
Sata has been critical of Chinese investment in the country and has said that he would recognize the Republic of China.[1] One opinion poll in September gave Sata a considerable lead over Mwanawasa, 52% to 27%, with Hichilema in third place at 20%; Mwanawasa said that this poll was biased.[1] Another poll earlier in the month gave Mwanawasa the lead with 33% to Sata's 24%, although this marked a drop from the 45% reported for Mwanawasa by a previous poll in August, and an increase for Sata, who had been at 15%.[2]
Former president Kenneth Kaunda backed Hichilema and expressed disapproval for Sata.[3] Former president Frederick Chiluba urged people to vote for Sata.[4]
The possibility was raised that Sata could be disqualified from the election for alleged false declaration of assets; this was seen by some as an attempt by Mwanawasa to thwart Sata's candidacy.[1]
Two other candidates fought the election, Godfrey Miyanda and Kenny Ngondo.[5]
Results
The winner of the election was determined in one round according to the first past the post system. Initial results from the election gave Sata the lead, but further results put Mwanawasa in first place and pushed Sata into third place.[6] Interim results released after votes from from 120 of 150 constituencies were counted put Mwanawasa on just over 42% of the vote; Hakainda Hichilema had 28%; and Michael Sata had slipped to 27%. When opposition supporters heard that Sata had slipped from first to third place, riots erupted in Lusaka.[7] According to interim results, Mwanawasa still held an easy lead in constituencies counted up to 16:00 on October 1.
Late in the afternoon of October 2, the Zambian Electoral Commission announced that Mwanawasa had officially won the election.[8] He was sworn in for another term on October 3.[9]
The total electorate was 3,941,229 and 2,789,114 votes were cast of which 48,936 were spoilt. Voter turnout was 70.77%.
| Candidate | Party | Popular Vote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ||
| Levy P. Mwanawasa | MMD | 1,177,846 | 43.0 |
| Michael M.C. Sata | PF | 804,748 | 29.4 |
| Hakainde Hichilema | UDA | 693,772 | 25.3 |
| Godfrey K. Miyanda | HP | 42,891 | 1.6 |
| Winwright K. Ngondo | APC | 20,921 | 0.8 |
Source: Electoral Commission of Zambia
See also
External links
References
- ^ a b c Shapi Shacinda, "Zambia presidential rival Sata could miss poll", Reuters, September 14, 2006.
- ^ Shapi Shacinda, "Zambia leader's popularity down ahead of vote - poll", Reuters, September 4, 2006.
- ^ "Kaunda endorses opposition candidate", Independent Online (South Africa), September 13, 2006.
- ^ "Vote out president, Chiluba says", BBC News, September 18, 2006.
- ^ "Long queues in tight Zambian poll", BBC News, September 28, 2006.
- ^ "Zambian President Takes Election Lead, Opposition Claims Irregularities", VOA News, October 1, 2006.
- ^ "Zambia vote count sparks violence", BBC News, 1 October 2006.
- ^ "Poll victory for Zambia president", BBC News, October 2, 2006.
- ^ Joseph J. Schatz, "Mwanawasa Sworn in As Zambia President", Associated Press, October 3, 2006.