Zambia presidential election holds today

Picture: AFP

After President Michael Sata died in October following a long illness last year, Zambians are at the polls today voting for a new president.

The main presidential contenders are Edgar Lungu of the ruling Patriotic Front party( he is in charge of Zambia's justice and defense ministries) and Hakainde Hichilema, leader of the opposition United Party for National Development, is an economist.

Zambia has since been led by acting President Guy Scott, a white Zambian of Scottish descent who is not a candidate. The acting president was not entitled to become president under Zambian law because his parents were not Zambian or of Zambian descent.

There are 5.1 million registered voters in a total population of about 15 million. The winner of the election will serve out the remainder of the late president Sata's term until elections next year.