MMD Presidential Candidate, Rupiah Banda, has been sworn in as Zambia’s fourth Republican President.

Mr. Banda took oath before Chief Justice Ernest Sakala at a colorful ceremony held at the parliament buildings in Lusaka on Sunday afternoon.

The swearing in ceremony was also attended by foreign dignitaries, who included presidents Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, Malawi’s Mbingu Wamutharika and Kgalema Motlanthe of South Africa.

Former presidents, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda and Dr. Frederick Chiluba were also part of the several guests that attended the ceremony.

MMD supporters clad in their party colours sung and danced to celebrate their victory in an election which

was tightly contested.

And in his inaugural speech, Mr. Banda called for unity in the country and extended an olive branch to losing candidates, especially Patriotic Front leader, Michael Sata.

Mr. Sata has rejected the results of the election claiming the poll was flawed.

Mr. Banda stressed the need for unity after Thursday’s presidential election, saying he does not want to govern a divided nation.

He said the election should unite the Country for the common good of citizens.

In his speech, has pledged to fight poverty and transform Zambia into a middle income nation.

President Banda who spoke shortly after he took oath as Zambia’s fourth President, observed that many Zambians have been excluded in the sharing the Country’s economic prosperity.

He described poverty as demeaning and an unnecessary evil.

The president said he is determined to empower Zambians through education and employment creation during his reign.

President Banda also pledged to transform Zambia into the hub of Southern Africa.

He further stated that he will continue the fight against corruption and observe the rule of law.

Today’s Scripture

Jesus replied, “It is written, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only Him'” (Luke 4:8).

Today’s Word from Joel and Victoria

Jesus was in the desert to pray. He’d been fasting. He was alone and probably weak in His body. Along comes Satan to offer Him an easy way out of going to the cross. “You can gain the world by letting me give it to you. Why don’t you take the easy way out?” the devil was saying. But Jesus knew that the mission wasn’t just to gain the world. He knew that the real victory was to gain the world and defeat temptation, death, hell, and the grave. There was no “easy way out” of that!

Notice how Jesus answered. Each time Satan would tempt Him, Jesus responded by saying, “It is written…” Jesus fought the enemy with the Word of God. The Word of God is your weapon. When you feel the pressure of temptation, when you feel like giving in, when you think you’re not going to make it, fight those negative, self-defeating thoughts by declaring the Word of God. Declare, “I am strong in the Lord and in the power of His might! No weapon formed against me shall prosper. I am an overcomer through Christ who strengthens me.” Speak the Word, and allow Him to lead you on the path of victory!

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, thank You for the power of Your Word. I declare that I am filled with Your strength and hope because I choose to honor You in everything I do. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Joel Osteen ministries

Acting vice president Rupiah Banda will be declared the winner of the presidential by election today after taking the lead for the first time since the presidential poll results were first released by the Electoral Commission of Zambia on Friday.

The results so far showed Mr Banda with 708,683 votes versus 682,171 for Michael Sata, the leader of the opposition Patriotic Front. The count was based on results from 148 of 150 constituencies.

With two constituencies remaining, Mr Sata is unlikely to gain many votes to overhaul the gap as both of the constituencies are in the ruling MMD’s strongholds.

But the PF have not conceded defeat. They have announced that they would be asking the court for a complete recount due to discrepancies between voter tallies and registration lists.

Michael Sata on Saturday morning stormed the Electoral Commission of Zambia election results center claiming Thursday’s presidential poll had been rigged.

Mr. Sata, who was visibly angry accused the ECZ of releasing inflated figures.

He alleged that constituencies in Eastern Province can not have 75 percent turnout when the poll has been characterised by apathy.

“I have evidence that results are being inflated. They cheated me in 2006 and they want to do the same,” Sata said.

Most regional bodies have declared the elections free, transparent and fair

Two African regional bodies have declared the October 30 presidential election free and fair.

In their Preliminary reports the African Union Election observer mission and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa COMESA- say the election was held in a free and peaceful environment.

AU observer mission team leader, Anil Gaya, says the election took place in a peaceful atmosphere in which voters were able to cast their votes without intimidation.

Mr. Gaya said the Electoral Commission of Zambia-ECZ- organized an efficiently run election.

He said the Presidential election was in conformity with the declaration of the AU principles governing democratic elections in Africa.

And COMESA Observer mission leader, Johnson Wa Binana said the election was held in a peaceful manner.

Mr. Wa Binana also called on Zambians to remain peaceful and united.

Also The Electoral Institute of Southern Africa-EISA- has observed that the October 30 presidential and parliamentary by-elections were conducted in a transparent manner.

EISA delegation leader, Leshele Thoahlan, says the polls were transparent because Zambians were allowed to freely express their will.

Mr. Thoahlan says the mission hopes that the management and announcement of Presidential results will be handled in the same manner.

He commended the people of Zambia for their peaceful conduct during the election period.

Mr. Thoahlan said this in Lusaka when he released a report on the October 30 polls.

The EISA Observer mission will produce a more comprehensive and final report on the entire electoral process within ninety days.

Heritage party president Brigadier General, Godfrey Miyanda, says the just ended presidential election was free and fair.

General Miyanda says he is satisfied with the manner in which the election has been conducted.

He said anyone disputing the outcome of the results should not resort to violence but seek legal redress.

General Miyanda says it is unfortunate that some leaders are already agitating violence when the final results of the elections have not been released.

He was speaking to reporters at the Electoral Commission of Zambia results centre in Lusaka.

The former Vice President said he would use the results of the elections to prepare for the 2011 general elections.
[ZNBC]

Patriotic front leader, Michael Sata on Saturday morning stormed the Electoral Commission of Zambia election results center claiming Thursday’s presidential poll had been rigged.

Mr. Sata, who was visibly angry accused the ECZ of releasing inflated figures.

He alleged that constituencies in Eastern Province can not have 75 percent turnout when the poll has been characterised by apathy.

Mr. Sata said he was surprised that Acting President, Rupiah Banda is catching up with him in results released so far.

He also accused foreign journalists and international monitors of being biased because they have not portrayed the facts on the ground.

But ECZ Public Relations Manager, Chris Akufuna,said he could not comment on the matter because the PF leader had no facts.

Mr. Akufuna said the commission is just releasing results from constituencies where all parties have representatives.

ZNBC

MMD National Publicity Secretary and Party spokesman Ben Tetamashimba has said that the 62 000 prediction is based on polling station totals which have been posted at each vote station and were in the hands of all political parties.

Mr. Tetamashimba  dismissed the claims by Opposition Patriotic Front as petty.

The wining predictions was also echoed by Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika who told the foreign media that the MMD were very confident to the extent of being sure of the victory.

The Opposition Patriotic Front described as provocative the pronouncement by MMD national Campaign coordinator, Mbita Chitala, that his party would win the presidential election by 62 thousand votes.

PF Spokersperson, Given Lubinda, condemned Mr Chitala’s remarks which were broadcast on ZNBC 19 hours television news.

He has challenged the MMD campaign team to prove how the party would accumulate the 62 thousand votes projected by Mr. Chitala.

Mr Lubinda was speaking at a press briefing held at 23.30 hours at the Mulungushi Conference centre in Lusaka.

Mr. Lubinda also challenged the MMD to explain the break down of two trucks carrying elections materials in Shangombo as well as the presence of Mr. Vernon Mwaanga in the Northern province at the time of voting.

He has advised PF members to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour in the electoral process

But Electoral Commision of Zambia Public Relations manager, Chris Akufuna, declined to comment on most of the issues raised by the PF but said the commission will investigate the report indicating that their was late voting in Kalabo.

MMD Presidential campaign Chief Executive Officer, Mbita Chitala, says he is confident Acting President, Rupiah Banda, will emerge victorious in Thursday’s election.

Mr. Chitala says the election results have not yet been announced for the MMD’s strong hold, particularly rural areas.

He told ZNBC news that although the MMD has been trailing behind Patriotic Front, Michael Sata,he is confident the ruling party will carry the day.

Mr. Chitala said the remaining constituencies in rural areas will enable Mr. Banda win the election by a wide margin.

And Mr. Chitala is happy with the manner in which the president election has been conducted.

He said the election has been conducted in a peaceful manner.

Patriotic Front candidate, Mark Mushili, has retained the Ndola Parliamentary seat in a by-election held yesterday.

Mr. Mushili polled 10,722 votes beating his closest rival from the MMD Mary Zambezi who polled 7,563 votes.

UPND’s Joe Kalusa polled 1,417 while Masuzyo Chipanya OF UNIP got 339 votes.

Scollastic Mutale of the New Revolution Party polled 181 votes.

Ms Zambezi who had successfully petitioned Mr. Mushili’s election after the 2006 General election has again not accepted defeat.

She has refused to sign the results form, demanding a recount of the ballot papers.

And in Luapula, the Patriotic Front-PF has retained the Mwansabombwe Parliamentary by-election.

PF candidate, Samuel Chitonge, polled 4429 votes against his closest rival, an independent candidate, Sunday Maluba, who polled 1770 votes.

MMD’s Mable Kamangala polled One thousand and Ten votes while UNIP’s Mildred Chibwe accumulated 161 votes.

UPND’s Cephas Musonda, only managed 41 votes while Henry Ngosa of FDD got 69 votes.

The by-election was held after the courts had nullified the election of Mr. Chitonge in 2006.

Opposition Patriotic Front (PF) has taken a lead in the national presidential results in 19 constituencies.

PF leader Michael Sata has polled 187 863 votes and is followed by MMD’s Rupiah Banda who has accumulated 96  325 votes.

Electoral Commission of Zambia (CZ) Chairperson Judge Florence Mumba announced the results from 19 constituencies when she gave an update on national presidential results Friday morning.

The results indicate that UPND candidate Hakainde Hichilema has so far polled 26 033 votes.

Heritage Party leader Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda has managed 2081  votes.

The results are part of constituencies representing Copperbelt, Eastern and Lusaka provinces.

ECZ is giving national presidential results at

Mulungushi International Conference Centre Lusaka as they are received from polling stations.

Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata has taken an expected early lead in yesterday’s presidential race, with ballots from 13 percent of the nation’s constituencies counted, the Electoral Commission of Zambian (ECZ) announced this morning.

The ECZ said Mr Sata of the PF has about 60 percent of the votes counted so far, with 19 of Zambia’s 150 constituencies reporting.

Acting President Rupiah Banda of the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) has nearly 31 percent of the vote, with Hakainde Hichilema from UPND and Godfrey Miyanda from HP dividing the rest.

Only constituencies from four provinces have reported results to the ECZ so far, with most of them coming from the Copperbelt and Lusaka region which are PF’s strongholds.

Zambians voted Thursday to choose a successor to president Levy Mwanawasa, who died in August following a stroke.

Mood amaong PF cadres is still muted as this is familiar territory for them. The dreaded MMD rural vote is yet to be reported and everyone’s attention is focused on that.

Most local radio stations have reported unofficial results obtained polling stations. According to these results, Mr Sata has won 57 percent of the ballots cast in 39 out of 150 constituencies, acting president and ruling party candidate Rupiah Banda is trailing with 30 percent.