Zambian leader elected as president, opposition to challenge result

Lusaka: Zambian leader Rupiah Banda will be sworn into office on Sunday after narrowly winning the country's presidential election.

Banda won 40.1 per cent of the 1.79 million votes cast in Thursday's election versus 38.1 per cent for opposition Michael Sata, according to final results released by Zambia's electoral commission.

"I declare that Rupiah Bwezani Banda has been duly elected president of the Republic of Zambia," Chief Justice Ernest Sakala said at a ceremony in Lusaka.

He verified all results provided by election officials.

About 45 per cent of the 3.9 million registered voters cast ballots in the election.