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Zambia to hold presidential election to replace leader who died of illness in October

Associated Press
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A supporter of Zambia’s leading opposition United Party for National Development (UPND), led by Hakainde Hichilema, shows his campaign leaflets during an election rally in Lusaka Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015. Zambians go to the polls Tuesday, Jan. 20 to elect a new president Tuesday after the death of former president Michael Sata in October 2014. (AP Photo/Moses Mwape) (The Associated Press)

In this Sunday Jan. 18, 2015 photo, supporters of Zambia’s leading opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) Hakainde Hichilema attend an election rally in Lusaka, Zambia. Zambians go to the polls Tuesday to elect a new president after the death of former President Michael Sata in October, 2014. (AP Photo/Moses Mwape) (The Associated Press)

Supporter and party official Silver Masebo of Zambia’s leading opposition United Party for National Development (UPND), led by Hakainde Hichilema, addresses an election rally in Lusaka Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015. Zambians go to the polls Tuesday, Jan. 20 to elect a new president Tuesday after the death of former president Michael Sata in October 2014. (AP Photo/Moses Mwape) (The Associated Press)

Zambia will hold a presidential election on Tuesday to replace Michael Sata, who died in October after a long illness.

Eleven candidates are vying for the top post in the southern African nation. Zambia has been led since Sata's death by acting President Guy Scott, a white Zambian of Scottish descent who is not a candidate.

The main presidential contenders are Edgar Lungu of the ruling Patriotic Front party and Hakainde Hichilema, leader of the opposition United Party for National Development.

Lungu, in charge of Zambia's justice and defense ministries, is portraying himself as a candidate for continuity, saying he wants to complete economic development projects initiated by Sata.

Hichilema, an economist, says he has the necessary experience to revamp the economy of Zambia, a major copper producer.