Zambia's President dissolves parliament, announces election date
LUSAKA – Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa on Wednesday night dissolved the country’s parliament and his cabinet and named September 28 as the date for the country’s next round of national elections.
“This year’s presidential, parliamentary and local government election shall be held on Thursday, September 28,” Mwanawasa said in a national television and radio address.
“I have today issued a promulgation dissolving the National Assembly. Cabinet is also consequently dissolved. I will continue as president and I will be assisted by my vice president until the next president takes over.
Earlier in the day, the country’s high court refused to forbid Mwanawasa from unilaterally deciding an election date.
The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) had petitioned the court to stop Mwanawasa from doing so because they believed it would be unconstitutional and unfair to the opposition.
The LAZ argued that election dates should be decided by the independent Electoral Commission of Zambia and not the president because he is an interested party and may disadvantage his opponents.
Mwanawasa is due to launch his official campaign for his bid for a second term in office this Saturday. – Sapa-AFP.