Zambia's troubled presidential elections lurched into crisis yesterday as police engaged in street battles with opposition supporters outside the High Court, where a judge halted the swearing-in of a new president until he rules on allegations of vote-rigging.
As counting drew to a close yesterday government candidate, Mr Levy Mwanawasa, held a slim lead over the opposition contender, Mr Andersen Mazoka, according to the electoral commission.
However, Judge Peter Chitengi blocked the government from declaring a winner until he rules on claims of state-sponsored vote rigging, brought by a coalition of 10 opposition parties, this morning.
"No action whatsoever should take place before my ruling on this matter tomorrow at 8.30 a.m. This is a very important case. It is urgent and it is of national importance," he told reporters in his office yesterday evening.
The judge had earlier been forced to abandon his courtroom after police baton charged and fired tear gas on a crowd of thousands of opposition supporters outside. At one point the crowd, who were demanding a fresh poll, broke through a barbed wire barrier while chanting "We want change".
Some protesters attempted to march on the residence of the outgoing president, Mr Frederick Chiluba, which was protected by a security cordon. There were also clashes in a township and by early evening at least three people were reported seriously injured.
The violence has rocked the southern African nation, which has long enjoyed peace although many of its neighbours - such as Angola, Zimbabwe or Congo - are beset by war or civil strife.
However the presidential poll - only the third since independence from Britain - has sent passions running high. Although polling took place in the middle of the Christmas season, there was a vote turnout of over 80 per cent.
Many voters, particularly in urban areas, said they were tired of the ruling MMD, which has been blamed for growing corruption and economic decline. "We shall not stir. We will definitely win the battle," Mr Nevers Mumba of the National Citizens Coalition told a cheering crowd outside the High Court.
Mr Mazoka, the opposition contender, has repeatedly accused the government of "extensive" vote rigging since counting started last Friday. There have been long delays and some chaos in the counting process, which elections have blamed on the unexpectedly high turnout.
EU election observers said yesterday that the inauguration of a new president should be delayed pending an investigation.
"There are clear, glaring irregularities and there is no way we can run away from this," said Mr Michael Meadowcroft, the head of the monitoring team.
With most ballots counted yesterday, Mr Mwanawasa of the ruling MMD was leading Mr Mazoka by 36,000 votes. Depending on today's court ruling, he could be either sworn in this afternoon or else drawn into a court battle to determine whether the elections were free and fair.