The Zambian elections kicked off on early Thursday morning in a peaceful atmosphere.

At 5:30 AM (03:30 GMT), scores of people queued up at the Jacaranda Basic School polling station in Lusaka, waiting quietly for their turns to cast votes.

Kaluba Chungu, 24, said he came early because he had waited for the elections for long.

He said this year's elections had more people show up compared with the ones in 2001.

"People are more enthusiastic this time," he said, adding that the polls are also more organized.

At 6:00 AM (04:00 GMT), Arthur Ingee, 43, first stepped into the polling station, which was set up in a re-arranged classroom, and cast his votes in turn for president, members of parliament and local government, after being checked by election officers and marked with ink on his finger.

He said he would vote for someone who has a vision for his country but refused to disclose who he voted for.

"It's secret vote," he said, smile on his face.

A few international observers and local election monitors were watching as the votes went on, putting down some notes occasionally.

The elections, the fourth since the country resumed multiparty democracy in early 1990s, will see incumbent President Levy Mwanawasa, who is seeking a second term, challenged by four opposition leaders.

Parliamentary and local government elections are being held alongside the presidential election on the same day.

The ballot casting is scheduled to end at 6:00 PM (16:00 GMT) and counting of votes may last a few days, the Electoral Commission of Zambia has said.

(Xinhua News Agency September 29, 2006)