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Regional bloc to deploy 65 observers to Zambia over presidential election

Xinhua, January 13, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Southern African Development Community has urged all leaders participating in Zambia's presidential election next week to conduct themselves in a manner that will contribute to holding of peaceful election, it said on Monday.

The 14-member regional bloc, which will deploy 65 observers across the southern African nation, said Zambia has always been a beacon of peace and democratic elections in the region and hoped that this will be maintained after the Jan. 20 presidential election.

Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, the head of the observer mission said during the launch of the mission that next week's presidential election will be held in a peaceful, free and fair way, adding that the deployment of a mission was the regional bloc's affirmation of its commitment to support democracy in Zambia.

The observers, she said, will be sent to various parts of the country to ensure that the election is held in accordance with the principles and guidelines set by the regional bloc.

Stergomena Tax, the organization's secretary-general said during the same occasion that it was important for all stakeholders to uphold electoral values and principles and to observe the rule of law in order to have credible elections.

While acknowledging Zambia's long-standing tradition of holding peaceful elections, the official said the deployment of the mission was aimed at supporting the democratic process in the country.

The regional bloc has become the first organization to launch its mission ahead of Zambia's presidential election necessitated by the death of President Michael Sata last October.

Eleven candidates are participating in the election. Endi