Zambians turned out in "huge" numbers on Thursday to elect a new president after a tough race the opposition hopes will force a radical rethink of policies that have made the country one of Africa's economic stars, according to Reuters. Electoral officials said they estimated well above 50 percent of Zambia's 4 million registered voters cast ballots before most polls closed at 6 p.m. (1600 GMT) in an election which will also seat a new parliament and municipal councils. "Voter turnout has been huge and very encouraging," Director of Elections Dan Kalale said. Opposition leader Michael Sata, a fiery populist who has exploited discontent with government economic policies, said he was confident of victory against incumbent Levy Mwanawasa, who is seeking a second and final five-year term at the helm of the copper-rich nation. Sata, 69, said he was ready to lead and -- in typically earthy style -- said he might well follow the example of President Robert Mugabe in neighbouring Zimbabwe and stand up for Zambia against powerful international economic forces. "Mugabe hasn't done anything wrong. It is the imperialists, the capitalist roaders who say he is a villain," a grinning Sata said as he cast his vote at a Lusaka school. Despite rising tensions before the poll and hints of possible rigging charges from Sata's Patriotic Front, Thursday's voting went off smoothly across most of the country -- a stark contrast to Zambia's last general election in 2001, which saw many opposition leaders publicly accuse Mwanawasa of poll fraud. Kalale said a there were only a few hitches involving undelivered ballots, which were later rectified when voting papers were sent in by helicopter. In a few precincts, voting would continue past the official 6 p.m. deadline to compensate for the delays.
