Zambia Pledges Free, Fair Poll to replace Deceased President

Zambia’s acting President Rupiah Banda has promised a free and fair election to choose a successor to President Levy Mwanawasa, who died in August. Speaking at an official function in Lusaka, Banda said the Zambian government would ensure a level playing field for all competing political parties in order guarantee transparency in the October 30 polls. Banda, 71, has been nominated by his ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) to run in the presidential by-election.