Sata is president (Zambia)

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) president Michael Sata is the new president of Zambia. Mr Sata was declared winner by Chief Justice Ernest Sakala this morning after beating his closest rival Rupiah Banda by a margin of 188, 249 votes.

Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) chairperson Ireen Mambilima said Mr Sata received 1,150,045 votes, representing 43 per cent from 143 constituencies counted while Mr Banda polled 969,796 votes, representing 36.1 per cent. Justice Mambilima said results from the remaining seven constituencies would not have changed the status even if they were given to Mr Banda. The seven constituencies had a total of 157,710 votes.

“Under section 74(3) (b) of the Electoral Act of number 12 of 2006, the commission is empowered to determine and declare the result of an election without receiving the results of all polling stations if the outstanding results are not likely to materially influence the overall result of that election,” she said.

She said by the time of declaration ballot papers from Kalabo, Liuwa, Sikongo, Lukulu West, Luena, Mongu Central and Nalikwanda had not yet been received. Justice Mambilima, however, said ECZ had ascertained the winner of the 2011 polls and therefore the Chief Justice, who was the returning officer, should make the official declaration.

At the time of the declaration, United Party for National Development president Hakainde Hichilema had polled 489,944, while his Alliance for Development and Democracy counterpart Charles Milupi had 13,382 votes. National Restoration Party president Elias Chipimo Jr had 10,190 votes, UNIP’s Tilyenji Kaunda had 9, 713, Forum for Democracy and Development’s Edith Nawakwi had 6,627 with National Movement for Progress leader Ng’andu Magande polling 6, 097 votes.

Heritage Party president Godfrey Miyanda got 4,358 while Zambians for Empowerment and Development leader Fred Mutesa had 2,191 votes. The chief justice, in making the declaration, said he had ascertained the result and was satisfied that Mr Sata was the duly elected Head of State.

He also said he was convinced beyond any reasonable doubt that Mr Sata had met all the requirements of the statutes of ECZ. And immediately after the declaration, PF campaign manager for Mr Sata Willie Nsanda said that he was happy that finally justice had prevailed. He said for a long time, the PF had been attempting to seek the presidency but to no avail and was therefore happy that at last justice had prevailed.

There were wild scenes of celebrations outside Mulungushi International Conference Centre as jubilant PF supporters celebrated Mr Sata’s declaration as president. The chanting and hooting took centre stage elsewhere in the capital city, just like it was in Ndola and other towns of the Copperbelt where PF supporters thronged the streets despite the time of the night.