Long-time Zambian opposition leader Michael Sata is scheduled to be sworn in as the country's next president on Friday, in what will be the country's second democratic transition of power since its independence from Britain.

Zambia's Electoral Commission announced early Friday that the 74-year-old populist leader defeated incumbent candidate Rupiah Banda following a tight presidential race that was marred by scattered reports of violence throughout the country.

With most of the constituencies counted, Mr. Sata received 43 percent of the votes, compared with 36 percent for Mr. Banda.

Supporters of Mr. Sata, some of whom were behind violent protests that had broken out as the country awaited the final results, took to the streets in celebration after the announcement, which came just after midnight local time.

Thursday, police said demonstrators stoned cars and buildings in the north-central cities of Kitwe and Ndola and set fire to a market in Kitwe, amid frustration that the electoral commission was taking too long to announce the results. Many opposition members feared the delay would allow time for the commission to skew the results in Mr. Banda's favor.

Ahead of the poll, Mr. Sata, known as “King Cobra” for his sharp wit and fiery speeches, accused the electoral commission of planning to rig the outcome using pre-marked ballots – an allegation the commission denied.

European Union election observers said Thursday that the elections were “generally well administered,” but unequal access to resources meant there was not a “level playing field” for campaigning.

Specifically, observers criticized state-owned media for failing to meet “even their minimal obligations as public service media,” saying state news programming lacked balance in its coverage of the campaign.

Analysts do not expect many major policy changes when Mr. Sata takes office, though his Patriotic Front party has promised to re-instate a 25 percent windfall tax on mining revenues that Banda's party abolished in 2009.

Mr. Sata's repeatedly accused Mr. Banda of tolerating corruption and not doing enough to ensure that more Zambians share in the wealth of the country's copper reserves. Zambia is Africa's biggest producer of copper.

The two men are long-time rivals. In 2008, Mr. Banda defeated Mr. Sata by two percentage points in a special election triggered by the death of late President Levy Mwanawasa, who died of a stroke.

Mr. Banda's Movement for Multiparty Democracy had ruled the country since former president Frederick Chiluba defeated independence leader Kenneth Kaunda in the country's first democratic elections held in 1991.

Formerly known as Northern Rhodesia, Zambia declared independence from Britain in 1964.

Officials in Zambia say opposition leader Michael Sata has won the country's presidential election, defeating President Rupiah Banda.

Chief Justice Ernest Sakala declared Sata the winner Thursday following a tight presidential race. With most of the constituencies counted, Sata had received more than 1 million votes compared to more than 961,000 votes for the incumbent.

Earlier, violent protests broke out as the country awaited the final results.

Police said demonstrators stoned cars and buildings in the north-central cities of Kitwe and Ndola and set fire to a market in Kitwe. Regional police chief Martin Malama told reporters that police were trying to contain the situation.

In a statement issued Thursday, President Banda appealed for calm and called on police to arrest those responsible for violence.

Tensions were heightened on Wednesday when Zambia's High Court banned three independent media organizations from publishing speculative reports on the elections' outcome. The injunction came after The Post newspaper ran a headline that read “Sata Heads for Victory.”

Later in the day, the president's office released a statement in which it dismissed “rumors” the final results have been compiled and that President Banda has been informed of the development.

On Wednesday, unidentified hackers attacked the website of Zambia's Electoral Commission, posting results showing Mr. Sata holding a strong lead with nearly all of the votes counted. The results were later taken down.

Analysts say Mr. Sata's early lead has been boosted by a strong performance in Zambia's urban areas, where votes are likely to be counted more quickly. Mr. Banda is expected to perform stronger in the countryside.

Opposition parties have complained that the delay in releasing the results may be a ploy to allow the commission to skew results in favor of President Banda.

Ahead of the poll, Mr. Sata accused the electoral commission of planning to rig the outcome using pre-marked ballots. The electoral commission denied that allegation.

European Union election observers said Thursday that the elections were “generally well administered,” but unequal access to resources meant there was not a “level playing field” for campaigning.

Specifically, observers criticized state-owned media for failing to meet “even their minimal obligations as public service media,” saying state news programming lacked balance in its coverage of the campaign.

President Banda campaigned on a record of several years of strong economic growth in copper-rich Zambia, which has benefited from a boom in global commodity prices. Mr. Sata's Patriotic Front accused Mr. Banda of tolerating corruption and not doing enough to ensure that more Zambians share in the wealth of the country's copper reserves.

Mr. Banda defeated Mr. Sata by two percentage points in a 2008 special election to complete the term of the late President Levy Mwanawasa, who died of a stroke.

Mr. Banda served as Mr. Mwanawasa's deputy. Mr. Sata disputed those election results, and his supporters rioted for days afterward.

More than 5 million Zambians were registered to vote in Tuesday's presidential, parliamentary and local elections.

Violent protests broke out in north-central Zambia Thursday as the county awaited final results in a tight presidential race.

Police say demonstrators stoned cars and buildings in the cities of Kitwe and Ndola and set fire to a market in Kitwe. Regional police chief Martin Malama told reporters that police were trying to contain the situation.

The latest election commission results from Tuesday's poll showed opposition leader Michael Sata leading incumbent President Rupiah Banda 44 to 36 percent, with results in from slightly more than half of Zambia's voting districts.

But the count has been going slower than expected, and observers predict the commission will not meet a self-imposed Thursday deadline for the final results.

In a statement issued Thursday, President Banda appealed for calm and called on police to arrest those responsible for violence.

Tensions were heightened on Wednesday when Zambia's High Court banned three independent media organizations from publishing speculative reports on the elections' outcome. The injunction came after The Post newspaper ran a headline that read “Sata Heads for Victory.”

Later in the day, the president's office released a statement in which it dismissed “rumors” the final results have been compiled and that President Banda has been informed of the development.

On Wednesday, unidentified hackers attacked the website of Zambia's Electoral Commission, posting results showing Mr. Sata holding a strong lead with nearly all of the votes counted. The results were later taken down.

Analysts say Mr. Sata's early lead has been boosted by a strong performance in Zambia's urban areas, where votes are likely to be counted more quickly. Mr. Banda is expected to perform stronger in the countryside.

Opposition parties have complained that the delay in releasing the results may be a ploy to allow the commission to skew results in favor of President Banda.

Ahead of the poll, Mr. Sata accused the electoral commission of planning to rig the outcome using pre-marked ballots. The electoral commission has denied that allegation.

European Union election observers said Thursday that the elections were “generally well administered,” but unequal access to resources meant there was not a “level playing field” for campaigning.

Specifically, observers criticized state-owned media for failing to meet “even their minimal obligations as public service media,” saying state news programming lacked balance in its coverage of the campaign.

President Banda campaigned on a record of several years of strong economic growth in copper-rich Zambia, which has benefited from a boom in global commodity prices. Mr. Sata's Patriotic Front accused Mr. Banda of tolerating corruption and not doing enough to ensure that more Zambians share in the wealth of the country's copper reserves.

Mr. Banda defeated Mr. Sata by two percentage points in a 2008 special election to complete the term of the late President Levy Mwanawasa, who died of a stroke.

Mr. Banda served as Mr. Mwanawasa's deputy. Mr. Sata disputed those election results, and his supporters rioted for days afterward.

More than 5 million Zambians were registered to vote in Tuesday's presidential, parliamentary and local elections.

Riots have broken out in north-central Zambia as opposition supporters protest the slow vote count from Tuesday's presidential election.

Police say demonstrators stoned cars and buildings in the cities of Kitwe and Ndola on Thursday, and set fire to a market in Kitwe. Regional police chief Martin Malama told reporters that police were trying to contain the situation.

The latest results from Zambia's electoral commission show opposition leader Michael Sata leading incumbent President Rupiah Banda 43 to 36 percent, with results in from slightly more than half of Zambia's voting districts.

But the count has been going slower than expected, and observers predict the commission will not meet a self-imposed Thursday deadline for the final results.

Tensions were heightened on Wednesday when Zambia's High Court banned three independent media organizations from publishing speculative reports on the elections' outcome. The injunction came after The Post newspaper ran a headline that read “Sata Heads for Victory.”

Later in the day, the president's office released a statement in which it dismissed “rumors” the final results have been compiled and that President Banda has been informed of the development.

On Wednesday, unidentified hackers attacked the website of Zambia's Electoral Commission, posting results showing Mr. Sata holding a strong lead with nearly all of the votes counted. The results were later taken down.

Analysts say Mr. Sata's early lead has been boosted by a strong performance in Zambia's urban areas, where votes are likely to be counted more quickly. Mr. Banda is expected to perform stronger in the countryside.

Opposition parties have complained that the delay in releasing the results may be a ploy to allow the commission to skew results in favor of President Banda.

Ahead of the poll, Mr. Sata accused the electoral commission of planning to rig the outcome using pre-marked ballots. The electoral commission has denied that allegation.

European Union election observers said Thursday that the elections were “generally well administered,” but unequal access to resources meant there was not a “level playing field” for campaigning.

Specifically, observers criticized state-owned media for failing to meet “even their minimal obligations as public service media,” saying state news programming lacked balance in its coverage of the campaign.

President Banda campaigned on a record of several years of strong economic growth in copper-rich Zambia, which has benefited from a boom in global commodity prices. Mr. Sata's Patriotic Front accused Mr. Banda of tolerating corruption and not doing enough to ensure that more Zambians share in the wealth of the country's copper reserves.

Mr. Banda defeated Mr. Sata by two percentage points in a 2008 special election to complete the term of the late President Levy Mwanawasa, who died of a stroke.

Mr. Banda served as Mr. Mwanawasa's deputy. Mr. Sata disputed those election results, and his supporters rioted for days afterward.

More than 5 million Zambians were registered to vote in Tuesday's presidential, parliamentary and local elections.

Zambia's High Court has barred three private media organizations from publishing speculative reports on the outcome of Tuesday's presidential and parliamentary elections, as the country's electoral commission scrambles to finish counting votes ahead its self-imposed Thursday deadline.

The court issued an injunction Wednesday banning one of the country's leading privately-owned, pro-opposition newspapers, The Post of Zambia, and two other media outlets from publishing stories announcing preliminary results before the numbers are officially announced. The injunction came after The Post ran a headline claiming “Sata heads for victory” on the day after the election.

On Thursday, unidentified hackers attacked the website of Zambia's Electoral Commission, posting a string of statements claiming that opposition leader Michael Sata of the Patriotic Front party was in the lead over incumbent Rupiah Banda of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy.

The latest partial results from the election body suggest Mr. Sata does hold a slight lead over Mr. Banda. Analysts say Mr. Sata's early lead has been boosted by a strong performance in Zambia's urban areas, where votes are likely to be counted more quickly. Mr. Banda is expected to perform stronger in the countryside.

Meanwhile, there were scattered reports of rioting by opposition protesters on Thursday, amid frustration that the electoral commission is counting the votes too slowly. Rioters took to the streets while throwing stones in Zambia's second biggest city Kitwe, as well as several other areas. Scattered incidents of violence were also reported Tuesday in the capital, Lusaka.

Opposition parties already have complained that the delay in releasing the results may be a ploy to allow the commission to skew results in favor of President Banda.

European Union election observers said Thursday that the elections were “generally well administered,” but unequal access to resources meant there was not a “level playing field” for campaigning. Specifically, observers criticized state-owned media for failing to meet “even their minimal obligations as public service media,” saying state news programming lacked balance in its coverage of the campaign.

The electoral commission has said it aims to have complete results from all 150 constituencies by the end of the day on Thursday.

Ahead of the poll, Mr. Sata accused the electoral commission of planning to rig the outcome using pre-marked ballots. The electoral commission has denied that allegation.

President Banda campaigned on a record of several years of strong economic growth in copper-rich Zambia, which has benefited from a boom in global commodity prices. Mr. Sata's Patriotic Front accused Mr. Banda of tolerating corruption and not doing enough to ensure that more Zambians share in the wealth of the country's copper reserves.

Mr. Banda defeated Mr. Sata by two percentage points in a 2008 special election to complete the term of the late President Levy Mwanawasa, who died of a stroke.

Mr. Banda served as Mr. Mwanawasa's deputy. Mr. Sata disputed those election results, and his supporters rioted for days afterward.

More than 5 million Zambians were registered to vote in Tuesday's presidential, parliamentary and local elections.

Zambia's High Court has barred three private media organizations from publishing speculative reports on the outcome of Tuesday's presidential and parliamentary elections, as the country's electoral commission scrambles to finish counting votes ahead its self-imposed Thursday deadline.

The court issued an injunction Wednesday banning one of the country's leading privately-owned, pro-opposition newspapers, The Post of Zambia, and two other media outlets from publishing stories announcing preliminary results before the numbers are officially announced.

The injunction came after The Post ran a headline claiming “Sata heads for victory” on the day after the election.

On Thursday, unidentified hackers attacked the website of Zambia's Electoral Commission, posting a string of statements claiming that opposition leader Michael Sata of the Patriotic Front party was in the lead over incumbent Rupiah Banda of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy.

The latest partial results from the election body suggest Mr. Sata does hold a slight lead over Mr. Banda.

Analysts say Mr. Sata's early lead has been boosted by a strong performance in Zambia's urban areas, where votes are likely to be counted more quickly. Mr. Banda is expected to perform stronger in the countryside.

Pre-election surveys suggested a close race between President Banda and Mr. Sata, who is making his fourth run for the presidency.

Scattered incidents of violence were reported Tuesday in the capital, Lusaka.

On Thursday, European Union election observers said the elections were “generally well administered,” but unequal access to resources meant there was not a “level playing field” for campaigning. Specifically, observers criticized state-owned media for failing to meet “even their minimal obligations as public service media,” saying state news programming lacked balance in its coverage of the campaign.

The electoral commission has said it aims to have complete results from all 150 constituencies by the end of the day on Thursday.

But civil society coalition chairman Sam Mulafulafu said he is skeptical the electoral commission will finish counting votes by then.

Mulafulafu said the results are being published very slowly, and he cautioned that this could create doubts about the truth of the numbers. He said voters may begin to wonder why the results are being held back or not being made public as quickly as anticipated.

Opposition parties already have expressed concerns, saying the delay may be a ploy to allow the commission to skew results in favor of President Banda.

Ahead of the poll, Mr. Sata accused the electoral commission of planning to rig the outcome using pre-marked ballots. The electoral commission has denied that allegation.

President Banda campaigned on a record of several years of strong economic growth in copper-rich Zambia, which has benefited from a boom in global commodity prices. Mr. Sata's Patriotic Front accused Mr. Banda of tolerating corruption and not doing enough to ensure that more Zambians share in the wealth of the country's copper reserves.

Mr. Banda defeated Mr. Sata by two percentage points in a 2008 special election to complete the term of the late President Levy Mwanawasa, who died of a stroke.

Mr. Banda served as Mr. Mwanawasa's deputy. Mr. Sata disputed those election results, and his supporters rioted for days afterward.

More than 5 million Zambians were registered to vote in Tuesday's presidential, parliamentary and local elections.

Zambia's High Court has barred three private media organizations from publishing speculative reports on the outcome of Tuesday's presidential and parliamentary elections, as the country's electoral commission scrambles to finish counting votes ahead its self-imposed Thursday deadline.

The court ruled Wednesday that the country's leading privately-owned newspaper, The Post of Zambia, and two other media outlets were not allowed to publish stories announcing preliminary results before the numbers were officially announced.

On Thursday, unidentified hackers attacked the website of Zambia's Electoral Commission, posting a string of statements claiming that opposition leader Michael Sata of the Patriotic Front party was in the lead over incumbent Rupiah Banda of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy.

The latest partial results from the election body suggest Mr. Sata does hold a slight lead over Mr. Banda.

Analysts say Mr. Sata's early lead has been boosted by a strong performance in Zambia's urban areas, where votes are likely to be counted more quickly. Mr. Banda is expected to perform stronger in the countryside.

The commission has said it aims to have complete results from all 150 constituencies by the end of the day on Thursday.

Pre-election surveys suggested a close race between President Banda and Mr. Sata, who is making his fourth run for the presidency.

Scattered incidents of violence were reported Tuesday in the capital, Lusaka, but European Union election observers say the vote was conducted in a “correct” manner. EU chief election observer Maria Muniz described the election as fair and transparent.

A civil society coalition also said it was satisfied with how the voting was conducted, saying the Electoral Commission “did their best” to make it easy for people to vote.

But coalition chairman Sam Mulafulafu said he is skeptical the electoral commission will finish counting votes by Thursday.

Mulafulafu said the results are being published very slowly, and he cautioned that this could create doubts about the truth of the numbers. He said voters may begin to wonder why the results are being held back or not being made public as quickly as anticipated.

Opposition parties already have expressed concerns, saying the delay may be a ploy to allow the commission to skew results in favor of President Banda.

Ahead of the poll, Mr. Sata accused the electoral commission of planning to rig the outcome using pre-marked ballots. The electoral commission has denied that allegation.

President Banda campaigned on a record of several years of strong economic growth in copper-rich Zambia, which has benefited from a boom in global commodity prices. Mr. Sata's Patriotic Front accused Mr. Banda of tolerating corruption and not doing enough to ensure that more Zambians share in the wealth of the country's copper reserves.

Mr. Banda defeated Mr. Sata by two percentage points in a 2008 special election to complete the term of the late President Levy Mwanawasa, who died of a stroke.

Mr. Banda served as Mr. Mwanawasa's deputy. Mr. Sata disputed those election results, and his supporters rioted for days afterward.

More than 5 million Zambians were registered to vote in Tuesday's presidential, parliamentary and local elections.

Partial results from Zambia's presidential election show main challenger Michael Sata holding a lead over incumbent Rupiah Banda.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia said Wednesday that ballot counting was still in progress. But the commission reported early tallies put Mr. Sata of the Patriotic Front party ahead of President Banda of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy, with Hakainde Hichilema of the UPND party trailing in third place.

The commission has said it aims to have complete results from all 150 constituencies by the end of the day on Thursday.

Pre-election surveys suggested a close race between President Banda and Mr. Sata, who is making his fourth run for the presidency.

Scattered incidents of violence were reported Tuesday in the capital, Lusaka, but European Union election observers say the vote was conducted in a “correct” manner. EU chief election observer Maria Muniz described the election as fair and transparent.

A civil society coalition also said it was satisfied with how the voting was conducted, saying the Electoral Commission “did their best” to make it easy for people to vote.

But coalition chairman Sam Mulafulafu said he is skeptical the electoral commission will finish counting votes by its self-imposed Thursday deadline.

Mulafulafu said the results are being published very slowly, and he cautioned that this could create doubts about the truth of the numbers. He said voters may begin to wonder why the results are being held back or not being made public as quickly as anticipated.

Opposition parties already have expressed concerns, saying the delay may be a ploy to allow the commission to skew results in favor of President Banda.

Ahead of the poll, Mr. Sata accused the electoral commission of planning to rig the outcome using pre-marked ballots. The electoral commission has denied that allegation.

President Banda campaigned on a record of several years of strong economic growth in copper-rich Zambia, which has benefited from a boom in global commodity prices. Mr. Sata's Patriotic Front accused Mr. Banda of tolerating corruption and not doing enough to ensure that more Zambians share in the wealth of the country's copper reserves.

Mr. Banda defeated Mr. Sata by two percentage points in a 2008 special election to complete the term of the late President Levy Mwanawasa, who died of a stroke.

Mr. Banda served as Mr. Mwanawasa's deputy. Mr. Sata disputed those election results, and his supporters rioted for days afterward.

More than 5 million Zambians were registered to vote in Tuesday's presidential, parliamentary and local elections.

Partial results from Zambia's presidential election show main challenger Michael Sata holding a lead over incumbent Rupiah Banda.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia said Wednesday that with ballot counting still in progress, Mr. Sata of the Patriotic Front party had captured about 42 percent of the vote. Mr. Banda of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy was second with 35 percent.

Hakainde Hichilema of the UPND party was third with 18 percent.

The commission said the count stemmed from results in 133 out of Zambia's 150 constituencies. It has said it aims to have complete results by the end of the day on Thursday.

Pre-election surveys suggested a close race between President Banda and Mr. Sata, who is making his fourth run for the presidency.

Scattered incidents of violence were reported Tuesday in the capital, Lusaka, but European Union election observers say the vote was conducted in a “correct” manner. EU chief election observer Maria Muniz described the election as fair and transparent.

A civil society coalition also said it was satisfied with how the voting was conducted, saying the Electoral Commission “did their best” to make it easy for people to vote.

But coalition chairman Sam Mulafulafu said he is skeptical the electoral commission will finish counting votes by its self-imposed Thursday deadline.

Mulafulafu said the results are being published very slowly, and he cautioned that this could create doubts about the truth of the numbers. He said voters may begin to wonder why the results are being held back or not being made public as quickly as anticipated.

Opposition parties already have expressed concerns, saying the delay may be a ploy to allow the commission to skew results in favor of President Banda.

Ahead of the poll, Mr. Sata accused the electoral commission of planning to rig the outcome using pre-marked ballots. The electoral commission has denied that allegation.

President Banda campaigned on a record of several years of strong economic growth in copper-rich Zambia, which has benefited from a boom in global commodity prices. Mr. Sata's Patriotic Front accused Mr. Banda of tolerating corruption and not doing enough to ensure that more Zambians share in the wealth of the country's copper reserves.

Mr. Banda defeated Mr. Sata by two percentage points in a 2008 special election to complete the term of the late President Levy Mwanawasa, who died of a stroke.

Mr. Banda served as Mr. Mwanawasa's deputy. Mr. Sata disputed those election results, and his supporters rioted for days afterward.

More than 5 million Zambians were registered to vote in Tuesday's presidential, parliamentary and local elections.