UNCLAS LUSAKA 001052


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ZA
SUBJECT: ZAMBIA ELECTION DAY REPORT #1: QUIET START, LOW
TURNOUT

REF: A. LUSAKA 1050

B. LUSAKA 1049

C. LUSAKA 1048

D. LUSAKA 1044 AND PREVIOUS


1. As of noon local time, press reports and reporting from
U.S. Embassy teams in the field indicate that polling
stations around Zambia opened on time and in an orderly
fashion. Observers teams have reported that the lines of
voters waiting for polling stations to open quickly
dissipated, and most stations that observers were visiting by
mid-day were almost empty of voters. The streets of Lusaka
are almost eerily quiet, with very little vehicular or
pedestrian traffic.


2. Embassy teams have said that the polling stations under
observation have been relatively well-organized and prepared
to conduct business. Voters who appear without their
National Registration Card (NRC) are not being allowed to
vote, which is in accordance with the law. Patriotic Front
(PF) vice president Guy Scott complained on a local Lusaka
radio station that voters who applied for replacement voter
cards and were supposed to be able to pick them up at their
polling stations were being turned away.


3. Media outlets have reported that turnout so far is lower
than in 2006 in areas such as Lusaka, Solwezi in the
Northwest mining area and Livingstone. The general consensus
is that low voter numbers favor the ruling Movement for
Multiparty Democracy and its candidate, Rupiah Banda. Post
will continue to monitor media and observer team reports for
possible issues.


BOOTH