LUSAKA (Zambia), Nov 2: Veteran diplomat Rupiah Banda was sworn in as the new president of Zambia on Sunday following a narrow and disputed victory over a populist rival in an election forced by the death of the country’s former leader.

Banda, 72, was made interim president following the death in August of Levy Mwanawasa and vowed to continue the free market policies of his popular predecessor, who encouraged foreign investment and forged strong links with China.

Official results showed that Banda won 40 per cent of the vote and opposition leader Michael Sata secured 38 per cent. Two other candidates trailed far behind.

Sata, who enjoyed strong support in poor urban areas, said on Saturday he would contest the vote, alleging irregularities including the printing of extra ballot papers. But foreign election observers said they were happy with the conduct of the poll.

Banda was sworn in immediately after the results were published and he will serve the remaining three years of Mwanawasa’s five year term.

“I promise to be an agent of continuity, good governance and will campaign against corruption,” said Banda at his inauguration ceremony. “I also promise to fight poverty because poverty is demeaning.”—AP