Church leaders call for re-run of elections

Church leaders in Zambia on Monday stepped into the fray over the legitimacy of Levy Mwanawasa's presidency, calling for fresh elections to resolve the controversy. "It's been almost two years since President Mwanawasa took power and yet people are still questioning his authority. This is not healthy for national unity. The result of this uncertainty is that many Zambians have adopted a wait-and-see attitude before they commit wholeheartedly to national development projects," Christian Council of Zambia secretary-general, Reverend Japhet Ndhlovu, told IRIN. Mwanawasa came to power with 29 percent of the vote in a December 2001 election, but opposition parties alleged fraud and petitioned the Supreme Court. Three of the country's largest church bodies at the weekend called for fresh elections. "In various forums we have raised this issue of an election re-run. We believe that this would sort out the confusion once and for all. If the government is assured of its popularity it has nothing to worry about," Ndhlovu said. Pressure has recently been mounting for Mwanawasa to step down, following damaging testimony before the Supreme Court suggesting electoral fraud helped him into office. Mwanawasa has reportedly said he would not succumb to "ill advice" to resign, and instead would wait for the Supreme Court's decision. "It is important that before any re-run is held, all the necessary stakeholders revisit the country's electoral laws. It is imperative that there is consensus that a candidate should win at least 51 percent of the national vote to be considered for president. This would do away with questions of legitimacy," Ndhlovu suggested. He added that the country's poverty reduction programme had suffered because of "party politicking".