Boycott mars Zambian poll

Zambian elections drew peacefully towards their close yesterday, marred by an opposition boycott and disapproval from Western donors who fear it was largely a cosmetic exercise in democracy.

President Frederick Chiluba is set for a second term after barring a challenge from his only strong rival, the "Father of the Nation", Kenneth Kaunda, whom he beat in the first free elections in 1991. Mr Kaunda's United National Independence Party walked out of parliament and led a boycott of the presidential and parliamentary polls they call a farce. Reuter - Lusaka