VP wants restrictions on presidential race lifted

Vice-president of the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) has called for the lifting of a ban on party members wishing to campaign for the party presidency, 'The Times of Zambia' reported on Friday. "I pray that even at this late hour the ban be lifted in the interest of fair play and transparency," Godfrey Miyanda said in a statement. President Frederick Chiluba outlawed party heavyweights from vying for the presidency on the grounds that it would prove divisive. Miyanda, who is also education minister, reportedly said that people should be able to give their views freely: "If our debate breaches or ignores these basic guidelines, no matter how many millions sing the democratic song, the whole final decision would be a sham from the beginning."