The way forward is to form a Government of National Unity

David Chimwaso, Zambia

There may have been incidents of rigging the elections, as the opposition parties are claiming, but it's difficult to accept that it has been on a rampant scale when looking at the pattern of voting across the Country. All the political parties made a good showing in their strongholds .And they also won votes in the provinces where they had little support. Considering that the special branch officers, who are alleged to have carried out the dirty games, were in most of the constituencies across the Country, could the rigging then been sectional or regional? The voting could have been fair, only that the votes may have been split because of the strong Presidential candidates that we had during this General Elections. And whoever was going to win the elections among them, was not going to have the required 51% mandate. And this is an issue which should have been addressed by Zambia's Constitution.

Under the circumstances, the MMD Government may not form a strong Cabinet; given that all their members of parliament will be "forced" to be Ministers as they are very few; which removes the element of merit. It's yet to be seen whether such a Government can deliver. The way forward, I believe, under the circumstances, is to form a Government of National Unity for the sake of peace and development.
David Chimwaso, Zambia

Its great that Mwanawansa won. With an opposition that rushes to incite people to protest and make the country ungovernable, even though they may have a good cause, is worrying. It shows they just want to have their own way, nothing else. Also the fact that they couldn't unite among themselves shows they are individualistic with only personal view. I just hope they don't succeed in what they are trying to do.
Mumbelunga, Wales

Africans almost always contest election results because they are almost always rigged. Irregularities western nations may have in their election process are no excuse for irregularities in our countries. The standard should be what's right for Africa and not what works for the west. The most disappointing thing for me was hearing the new Zambian president say he would let the police do whatever they had to do to quell the protests, and also that protesters would be tried for treason. A charge that carries a death penalty. Now that is something to be worried about. God bless Africa, apparently on our own nothing seems to work!
Lydia, Cameroonian in the USA

The opposition parties should just accept Mr Mwanawasa has the president, because arguments will lead to civil war. I think I don't trust what politicians say. No one will change the country for the better - everyone just wants to eat and become merry. A concerned Zambian
Drussira Mukumbo, U.S.A

What is happening in our country is quite serious. People have been robbed of their choice.

Simon Lubebe Mwewa , Zambia

What is happening in our country is quite serious. People have been robbed of their choice. Every where I go people are complaining about the elections. What they are saying is that who really voted for MMD? The fact that the major observers both local and international have reservations about the election results is evidence enough that not all is fine in Zambia. The protests in Lusaka are not the feelings of the opposition leaders but indeed of the Zambian citizens. Threats from the government to the protesters are undemocratic.

We need help as a country. Zambia has now been hijacked by the MMD. They have cases to answer no wonder they had to make sure that they win, even if they lose! Mr. Mwanawasa has now for the second time been imposed on the people. First it was on the party, now its on the entire Zambia. This is unacceptable. Zambia is in trouble, especially the new president himself.
Simon Lubebe Mwewa , Zambia

It is indeed unfortunate that the Zambian constitution has let down the people of Zambia's hunger for democracy by permitting the inauguration of a candidate who obtained only �30% of the popular vote, which translates to �2% of the country's population. It will be interesting to see how many of the so called opposition parties re-join the MMD and how many will exploit the opportunities presented by the fact that the MMD has a hung parliament - would it not be reassuring if the opposition ensures that the actions of the president are now kept in check? In retrospect, in 5 years' time, we could all be agreeing that democracy won in the end by ensuring that the powers of the presidency were curtailed.
George Michalakis, Zambia

It is clear that they were a number of anomalies in the conduct of elections such as voting in certain areas continuing when most of the results had been released, high numbers of rejected ballot papers in the cities compared to rural areas where literacy levels are high, ballot papers being rejected on account of not being stamped by the electoral commission and of course the uneven playing field. However the opposition would still have carried the day if they had a united front instead of splitting the votes amongst themselves. I hope a lesson has been learnt from this and that in future they will co-operate.
Ken Simwaba, Zambia

Those who have recently been to Zambia know how much the people of Zambia wanted change. The elections were marred with a lot of intimidation. In some areas before the elections, food supplies were suspended and only given to MMD supporters. This is a big blow to democracy in Africa, we just hope that the hearings in the courts will accord the people the justice they deserve. The people of Zambia clearly don't want MMD that is why 72% voted against MMD. Peace!
Simms Munkombwe, Australia

Zambia now needs to rally around their new leader and move on. There are no perfect elections in the world, only people trying to make it work. The opposition through their own selfishness, blew it. The USA election if one bothers to go through the statistics is determined by only 20% of the population. Only 48% of the population vote in the USA, of that percentage 10% vote for independent parties and the rest is just about split between the republics and democrats. It is time for Africans to stop buying into the theory that elections are perfect in first world countries, which is absolutely nonsense. The EU's role in Zambia amounts to colonial interference. Zambia does not need to have EU monitors. How about choosing your neighbours next time!
Zwelithani Mobusa, South African, USA

The opposition parties should be preparing their case for presentation to the courts, not disrupting the country with protests.

Robert, USA

The opposition parties should be preparing their case for presentation to the courts after the 14 days required by the Zambian constitution, not disrupting the country with protests. Give the system a chance to work before taking to the streets. Peaceful protests are always an option in a true democracy but would be more effective if the protestors were not asking for something outside the constitution.
Robert, USA

The opposition candidate Anderson Mazoka lost in other provinces of Zambia because his major supporters were from his tribe. In other words, Tongas were voting on tribal lines. My personal view is that no opposition leader in Africa can win election as long as voting is done on tribal lines
Rodrick Ndoro, Zambia

I could not agree less with sentiments that Anderson Mazoka lost because he was campaigning on tribal lines. He is the only candidate that advocated for our national motto - "One Zambia, One Nation" - to be brought back. He campaigned equally in all provinces without prejudice.Those claiming he is tribalistic are people or entities with limitless malice. I am not Tonga, but I am a proud Zambian.
Olgy Chiboma, Zambia

I believe the elections were relatively fair for African standards. They were only "unfair" because the opposition lost. The ruling party took advantage of areas where the opposition was weak or fragmented. I hope the opposition will be more prepared in the next elections. Hats off to President Levy Mwanawasa, and congratulations to MMD! Let all of us Zambians find a common goal and move forward with our social and economic development.
Handa Siangonya, USA

The riots do not reflect the true mood of the country.

Mwazipeza Chanda, Zambia

It is unfortunate that aspiring Presidential candidates can promote such terrible acts of violence and vandalism on the capital city. The fact that there was a heavy presence of international media was no excuse to incite such behaviour. The riots do not reflect the true mood of the country. It is obvious that MMD had no support in the Central Province and this was reflected in the election results, why then did they have to take to the streets to show displeasure with the other Provinces decision? Lusaka is not an island - if there was something seriously wrong with the results then the NATION would be up in arms. The Zambian public appreciates the problems that have arisen from the former governments economic policies , but now is not the time to squabble for power but to find solutions as a nation.
Mwazipeza Chanda, Zambia

Whether free and fair, what the new Zambian government should do is to respect their people's participation in the election by forming a coalition government. What should be considered is the percentage of voters that the opposition parties represent. His excellence Mwanawasa and the MMD should never in any way be seen claiming to represent everyone. However this election is a good lesson to Zimbabweans.
Msibi waJoze, Zimbabwe

Instead of crying over spilt milk, the opposition should just accept the simple fact that they delivered state house into the hands of Mwanawasa by going into the election in such a divided state. The evidence on the ground clearly shows that the MMD government would have been sent packing with a paltry 29% of the votes cast had the opposition united itself. Instead of contesting the election with unity of purpose, they all made the presidency a primary concern and in the process allowed personal ego to prevail over national interest. The result is what they have reaped.

While agreeing that rigging had its share of denying the opposition victory, I feel strongly that the electorate who badly needed change have been let down by personal greed among opposition politicians. The out-going President Fredrick Chiluba contributed greatly to the dishonesty, disunity and intolerance which has become a culture of Zambian politics because of his desire to perpetuate his reign against the will of the people. It is under his rule that the nation's peace, unity and stability was seriously threatened. Unlike Dr Kenneth Kaunda, Chiluba lacked political maturity and shrewdness to promote unity and dialogue among political parties.
Frank Musonda, Zambia

Why would independent international observers lie to us?

Evans Chisanga, Zambia

The independent observers have sighted several irregularities in the manner in which the MMD and it's govt handled the elections both before and during elections. I believe them. Why would independent international observers lie to us? I personally witnessed one such observer asking secret service agents to leave a polling station in Lusaka. What were they doing there?

The case with the EU observers is rather funny. Mr Mwanawasa and Vernon Mwaanga are accusing them of "inciting the public to rise against the govt". The observers agreed with govt on the principles on which it was to conduct the elections. And when the EU observed that govt had violated all 5, they simply published their report truthfully. The president-elect and Mr Mwaanga have not argued against any of these points, but have simply accused the EU of causing confusion. I would like to challenge these two honourable gentlemen to dispute any of the points raised by the EU and other observers and state why. Otherwise, they're being unfair to the observers, some of whom funded the elections so as to try and "level the playing field".
Evans Chisanga, Zambia

The Zambian presidency is cheap indeed. How can a person become a president of over ten million people after securing less than half a million votes? Is this democracy or dictatorship? Democracy is an ass indeed. It can either be a disciplined ass that will comfortably take you to your dream land or it can be a mad ass that will take you down the wrong route, drop you along the way and cause you much pain and suffering. Unfortunately my Zambian neighbours have realised, albeit too late, that by spliting themselves into ten power hungry groups they ended up confusing an otherwise disciplined ass. Consequently, they ended up riding a mad ass which has thrown them into a ditch.
Ishmael Mussa, Malawi

All those advocating opposition coalitions are forgetting their history - the MMD was a coalition with many diverse political ideals and only one issue in common - removing Kaunda from power by restoring multiparty politics - hence its name, Movement for Multiparty Democracy. We all saw how the MMD crumbled as a political force but remained in government because of the powers vested in the one man, the President. Because of this, the President was able to push through constitutional changes in 1996 which are largely responsible for today's election controversy - the President no longer needs to obtain a 51% majority to govern. If that was still the case, the presidential elections would have had to go to a run-off and then the Zambian people could have decided if they really wanted to move the MMD out of government.

As for Mwanawasa, how can Zambians, never mind the world, honestly believe this man is competent after he has threatened legitimate protestors with treason charges and the death penalty - not even Chiluba did that. But maybe that is Chiluba's game anyway - "let them see how bad Mwanawasa is and they'll beg me to stand in again!"
Susan, Zambia

In African elections, fraud is always expected

Frank Chitambala, Zambia

In African elections, fraud is always expected, among other things. In the Zambian case, the opposition should not even express surprise. Seeing from the results, the combined opposition results are more than the ruling party's results. So the opposition should have worked together before the elections, and not after if they were serious about defeating the MMD. Whether it's a case of fiddled results or sore losers, in Africa it's always both.
Frank Chitambala, Zambia

The opposition lost it all when they fielded 11 candidates! There are power hungry and want to win at all costs. Hope they have learnt one or two things. The elections were fair.
Joseph Mwansa, South Africa

The results are at variance with the aspirations and mood of the people. There was selective rigging.
Muyunda Sibote, Zambia

It is very sad that we have a president in office with only 29% of the mandate. When I saw 11 people filing their intent to run, I knew that disaster was brewing. It is one thing to take advantage of one's democratic right to run for office, and another to have 11 doing so in a country with only three million registered voters. The opposition should have known that having too many candidates not only weakened them, it created an atmosphere of confusion, hence conducive to anomalies. On the other hand, Mr. Mwanawasa should know that with only 29% of the vote going his way, he does not have much to stand on. On the other hand, in African politics, it is not so much the mandate that counts, but the power that goes with the office. The lesson all Zambians should learn from this experience is that if you are disatisfied with your government, you need to be united in your opposition. With that said, I rest my case.
Elijah Mwitanti, United States of America

Fielding 11 candidates was a big mistake by the opposition. They ought to have known that what they were doing was split the votes! Mr Mwanawansa must be supported now. I had hoped the opposition have learnt one or two things but in Africa, they never seem to learn!
Joseph Mwansa, Zambian, in South Africa

I think the position have a point to express their dismay for the delay in announcing the results, hence probably buying time to rig! In my opinion the race is too close to call. It is likely, the government might have tampered with the elections to maintain their status quo. This means Levy Mwanawasa will rule with Chiluba in the background. Shame. I think democracy is still young in Africa but Zambians at least have had a chance at the ballot.
Leo Simba Vumbi, Canada

Try posing that same question to Al Gore and replace 'Africa' with 'America'

Sandimbe Akende, Zambia

It is unfair to continue stigmatising Africa with such type of questioning! Try posing that same question to Al Gore and replace 'Africa' with 'America'. Our memories are still fresh I reckon.
Sandimbe Akende, Zambia

African elections will never ever be fair because of selfishness and greed of both-the ruling power and the opposition. Political office aspirators in African elections are always almost up to personal monetary gain than developmentally inclined. This will always be a sad episode for my beloved continent.
Victor, England

The behaviour of the opposition seems a bit unreasonable to me. They have known all along that the ruling party would attempt to cheat. In spite of this, the opposition went ahead and formed ten parties in a country with so few voters. This was always going to split the opposition vote. It is rich of Mr. Tembo to act as though he has the interest of the nation at heart when all he has ever wanted is to be president at all costs. It is time for the opposition to emulate the US Democrats and fall behind the new president, who in my view was one of the few 'clean' candidates in the race. The opposition, through their divisions, allowed a respected, if not altogether ideal, candidate to get in with a small majority. It is now time to concentrate on strengthening the power and integrity of parliament. That is the only way the executive can be brought to account. The opposition should now concentrate more on making parliament count, than wanting to take the presidency. My advice to Levy is that he should listen more to the people and that he should include some members of the opposition into his government.
Emmanuel Mwamba, England

There is no way on earth MMD can claim victory in Zambia. We are going to see difficult times ahead for Mr Mwanawasa. Chiluba has just extended his rule and a lot is going to happen, the elections were simply manipulated.
Abby, Zambian in South Africa

These elections were the most tribally inclined we have ever had in the history of Zambia. The main candidates, Mazoka and Tembo had a strong representation in their home provinces. Only Mwanawasa had a representation in all provinces. The opposition should blame themselves for losing elections. The tendency of saying we have never had a president from the south, therefore vote for me, should stop. Similarly for General Tembo. Now that the opposition has lost, General Tembo and Mazoka are walking hand in hand as if they were Siamese twins! Before they were trading insults and unprintables! Do not take us for another ride, to be tear gassed while you are drinking champagne with the people you told us they are our enemies, and laughing at us. No more. If you lose, fight your own battle, don't spill innocent Zambian blood.
Dewey Banda, Zambia

The opposition in Zambia only have themselves to blame

Demola Adefajo, Nigeria

The opposition in Zambia only have themselves to blame. How did they expect to win an election with the multitude of candidates they fielded for the election. They have only proven the fact that African oppositions only know how to bark but fail when it comes to the time to bite. They won the battle by forcing Chiluba to step down but they lost the battle when they could not put their acts together to field a strong candidate. It only goes to show that the African politicians are very selfish and power hungry. It is a lesson for the opposition in Zimbabwe. My only pity goes to the Zambian voters who have wasted about 72% of their votes on some spoiled brats.
Demola Adefajo, Nigeria

I am a Zambian academic and one among many Zambians that consistently argued through my articles in independent Zambian newspapers for the need for coalition building and some electoral pact among Zambian opposition parties if they were to defeat the ruling MMD. The factional nature of the Zambian opposition, the power of incumbency of the ruling MMD that gave it massive control over the state apparatus and its resources, coupled with the constitutional provision that allows for the election of president by simple majority, all militated against an opposition victory.

But opposition politicians, drawing strength from the continued decline in the popularity of the ruling MMD, thought they could easily pull off an electoral victory by going it alone. Alas, their folly has been laid bare. The ruling MMD has retained the republican presidency, though with a simple majority. Mr Levy Mwanawasa lacks popular support and legitimacy to rule the country effectively. He will be a lame duck for president.

The opposition can count on its increased representation in parliament to put the MMD's rule in check, something that has been lacking for the past ten years. The opposition grievances may be genuine, but they missed the chance of working together before elections and using their combined strength to avert electoral fraud and score a convincing win. They miserbaly failed to learn from the failures of the divided opposition in Kenya.
Anthony Musonda, Zambian student in Germany

The presidential candidates of the defeated parties are to blame that the MMD is still in power. They were all power hungry. If they had united to form a strong opposition in the form of one party, they would have won.
Chakumika Joseph, Germany

In real democracy, there are no losers, because their opportunity will come. The ballot in this case has decided, so it has to stand. The opposition can file their grievances in the court of law and also in the legislature when it resumes. Zambians are mature enough to respect the constitution and carry on with their lives. In the US we witnessed the same scenario where candidates challenged the results. Zambians should be proud at least they have democracy unlike their neighbours, Zimbabwe, Congo and Angola.
Namara, Canada