Lusaka, Zambia - Elections in Zambia ended peacefully in most polling booths across the country at 1800 local time Tuesday, even though there were isolated incidences of violence at two polling stations in Lusaka due the late arrival of ballot papers. Police said five people were arrested in Kanyama in Lusaka, where confusion reigned due to delayed opening of the polling station.

Some people stoned and set ablaze two vehicles on the suspicion that there were some pre-marked ballot boxes in one of the vehicles.

There was a high turnout of voters in some polling stations for the presidential, parliamentary and local government elections. About 5 million Zambians registered for the elections.

Incumbent President Rupiah Banda is among the 10 candidates who contested the presidential election.

President Banda flew to Chipata in the eastern province early Tuesday, where he voted at the Nyakatwa basic school.

The European Union observer mission said voting in the country opened peacefully, apart from isolated cases in Kanyama and Lilanda in Lusaka, where the electorate became unruly due to delayed opening of polling centres.

EU chief observer Maria Muniz De Urquiza told reporters in Lusaka that reports from their observers across the country indicated that voting went on well.

De Urquiza said the EU would issue a comprehensive statement after all the results have been released.

Counting is expected to start soon.

Pana 21/09/2011