Zambia ruling party dismisses British firm's report over elections

Zambia's ruling party on Wednesday dismissed a report released by London-based advisory service provider, Economic Intelligence Unit, which had predicted a defeat for the party in August's general elections.

In its recent report on Zambia's social, economic and political performance, the Economic Intelligence Unit, an independent business within The Economist Group, predicts the Patriotic Front (PF) party would lose the vote due to a lack of confidence in the current administration among citizens.

The report alleges 80 percent of citizens in Zambia were facing "economic hardships".

Frank Bwalya, PF deputy spokesperson, doubted the "authenticity" of the report and said the party was not influenced by it.

He told Xinhua by phone that the report was being used by the main opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) in order to hoodwink the voters. "It is being circulated on social media by the UPND."

The report also lists alleged high fuel prices, persistent power cuts, spiralling food prices, depreciation of the local currency, and corruption as problems facing the country.

It claims that poverty levels have worsened since President Edgar Lungu took power in January 2015 after winning elections called after the death of former President Michael Sata.

Zambia will hold general elections on August 11 in which President Lungu would seek re-election.

Analysts say Lungu would face stiff competition from Hakainde Hichilema, leader of the UPND.

Hichilema recently got a boost in his bid for presidency when former Vice President Guy Scott endorsed him in the upcoming polls. He has run and lost in four previous elections. Endit