Zambian president sworn in amid ballot rigging claims
Levy Mwanawasa has been sworn in as Zambian president, capping a hotly contested election marred by street riots sparked by opposition allegations that the ruling party rigged the vote.
Mwanawasa, 53, the hand-picked successor of the outgoing president, said in his inaugural address that he would not tolerate further unrest in this normally peaceful southern African country.
‘‘Now that I’ve been sworn in as president I will defend the constitution and assure the vote is applied,’’ Mwanawasa said at the Lusaka inaugural ceremony which was patrolled by 1,000 policemen.
Mwanawasa was inaugurated after a high court rejected an opposition appeal to delay the ceremony until allegations of ballot box stuffing and counting fraud were investigated.
International and local election observers also noted some irregularities in the voting process but the ruling party and the electoral commission deny any rigging took place.
Mwanawasa’s narrow victory over leading opposition contender Anderson Mazoka was met with street riots even before official results were announced.
A founding member of the ruling party, Mwanawasa has pledged to address widespread poverty, bolster education and health services and root out corruption in the government.
He has been dogged by allegations that a 1993 car accident left him mentally impaired.
Nicknamed ‘‘The Cabbage’’ by detractors, Mwanawasa acknowledges a speech impediment but said he is otherwise in perfect health.
