Banda dissolves parly, sets election day Sept 20

In a televised national address, Banda said after consultations with the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) he was now satisfied that the country was ready to hold the elections.

"Today July 28, 2011, I have signed the proclamation of the dissolution of the national assembly... this means parliament stands dissolved... it means that cabinet is equally dissolved," he said.  He has also signed the presidential, parliamentary and local government elections date of poll declaration as most of the logistics for holding the elections were in place and the ECZ had confirmed that the final voter register would be ready by the end of July.  There has been much speculation and much anxiety about the date of the elections. "I can now announce to the nation that the elections will be held on Tuesday 20th September, 2011," he said.