Slow count in Zambia

Counting is slow as turnout was unexpectedly high

Political parties in Zambia have expressed concern and frustration at the authorities' failure to release official results from Thursday's elections.

Resources are scanty in a poor but potentially rich country

The vote count has taken so long that the swearing-in of a new president, originally scheduled for Saturday, has been postponed until Wednesday.

Unofficial preliminary results suggest the presidential election is turning into a two-horse race between Levy Mwanawasa of the ruling party and opposition candidate Anderson Mazoka.

The other high profile opposition candidate, Christon Tembo, appears to be lagging behind.

Votes were also cast in parliamentary and local elections.

Delayed by turnout

Some official results were expected late on Friday.

But they have been delayed by an unexpectedly high turnout which took local and foreign observers by surprise.

The BBC's Barnaby Phillips in Lusaka says the electoral commission's painstaking methods, which were intended to show voters there has been no foul play, are instead arousing concern.

The MMD's Mwanawasa faces a real battle to win

Both front runners say they are confident of victory.

Some polling stations in the capital Lusaka and the northern Copperbelt region remained open until Friday morning, some 24 hours after they were meant to have opened.

At some stations, voting had been delayed for more than eight hours because of the late delivery of ballot papers.

Late-night voting

Many Zambians waited patiently in long queues for their turn to cast their ballot, in some cases by candlelight.

In some areas, heavy rain meant voters had to stand barefoot for hours in muddy lanes.

Polling stations were busiest in the cities, while voting was an easier task in rural areas.

It's about time normal Zambians take the destiny of the nation into our own hands

Voter

Turnout was high in the capital, Lusaka, where voters began arriving at polling stations half-an-hour before they opened.

Despite the wait, people said they were happy to have the chance to take part in the historic elections, which are expected to be the closest in Zambia's 37 years of independence.

"It's about time normal Zambians take the destiny of the nation into our own hands," said salesman Patu Nyalugwe.

Poverty and mismanagement

Eleven candidates ran for the presidency - and voters were also electing a new parliament and local government representatives.

President Frederick Chiluba, of the MMD, is standing down after serving the maximum two terms.

The MMD, which has been in power for a decade, is widely blamed for corruption and the economic hardships facing most Zambians.

Zambia's elections

11 presidential candidates

150 elected parliamentary seats

2.6m registered voters out of 11m population

Voting from 6am (0400GMT) extended after original 6pm (1600 GMT) deadline

Observers: The Commonwealth, European Union, Organisation of African Unity, Southern Africa Development Community, US Carter Center

Preliminary results due by Saturday

Correspondents say that whoever wins, Zambians will be desperately hoping they can revive the economic fortunes of this potentially rich country.

Mr Mazoka's party, the United Party for National Development, has told the BBC that the presidential poll appears to have been free and fair.

Mr Chiluba was only stopped from changing the constitution to allow himself to run for a third term by popular protests.