Voting ends in Zambia's presidential Election

LUSAKA - Polling stations have closed in Zambia's presidential and parliamentary elections following campaigning marred by clashes between rival supporters.

It is expected to be a tight race between President Edgar Lungu's governing PF party and the opposition UPND led by Hakainde Hichilema.

For the first time, a presidential candidate must win more than 50% of the vote to avoid a run-off.
Mr Lungu won the last election by less than 28,000 votes.

Each of the nine presidential candidates has a running mate to avoid a presidential by-election if the president dies in office - which has happened twice in the last 10 years.

The BBC's Akwasi Sarpong in the capital, Lusaka, say there was a high turnout at polling centres in the city.
Long, calm, orderly queues formed early in the morning and election monitors have not reported any complaints, he says.

There were five votes - for president, MPs, mayors, local councillors and an amendment to the constitution on changes to the bill of rights.
As the counting begins, Zambia's electoral commission has urged political party supporters to remain calm after final results are announced.