A Supreme Court hearing into President Levy Mwanawasa's election victory last year has been adjourned after witnesses complained of intimidation.

More than 70 witnesses were due to testify that they had been prevented from voting in last year's poll.

If my car is stolen and a thief comes and says: 'I know where your car is,' I will definitely follow him, so he can show me the evidence of where my car is

Anderson Mazoka, UNDP leader

But opposition lawyers accused Mr Mwanawasa of harassing them.

Anderson Mazoka, Christon Tembo and Godfrey Miyanda all claim that the poll was rigged in favour of the candidate from the ruling party and want the court to order a fresh election.

Observers from the European Union and local human rights groups also say that there were irregularities.

"Witnesses are now scared to come before this court to testify because [President Mwanawasa] is threatening them with arrest once they testify," opposition lawyer Sakwiba Sikota told the court.

The hearing was adjourned until Tuesday morning.

Revenge?

Many Zambians are particularly keen to hear if former President Frederick Chiluba testifies.

Already fighting a court case against the lifting of his immunity from prosecution, Mr Chiluba has indicated his willingness to give evidence in the election appeal, according to the BBC's Penny Dale in Lusaka.

Mr Chiluba was president when the preparations were made for the elections and while they were being held. Opposition politicians have accused him of rigging the election in favour of his chosen successor, Mr Mwanawasa.

Some Zambians have said that Mr Chiluba might be willing to testify in the court case to get revenge on President Mwanawasa for making corruption allegations against him and urging parliament to lift his immunity, according to the BBC's Penny Dale.

Chiluba might testify in election appeal case

Official results gave Mr Mwanawasa more votes than any of his rivals but he gained just 29% of votes cast.

Mr Mazoka, leader of the United Party for National Development (UPND), came a close second, with 27%.

He says that he was cheated out of victory and wants the court either to declare him the winner or call for a fresh vote.

Christon Tembo, of the FDD, and Godfrey Miyanda, of the Heritage party, also claim the poll was rigged.

'Thief'

Mr Mazoka is not worried about Mr Chiluba's motives if he decides to give evidence.

The opposition leader wants the December vote overturned

"If Chiluba is willing to come and testify we will welcome him, " he said.

"If my car is stolen and a thief comes and says: 'I know where your car is,' I will definitely follow him, so that he can show me the evidence of where my car is.

"And if Chiluba is the architect of all this, which we believe he was, and now he's realised he made a mistake, let's welcome him."

President Mwanawasa, currently riding a wave of popularity over the anti-corruption campaign, has said that as far as he knows the elections were not rigged but that he would step down if the court says the vote was fraudulent.

Mr Mazoka says that his appeal is not a personal matter but one of national importance.

"There are no sour grapes. I assure you I have no ambition for Mazoka, the only ambition I have is for Zambia.

"So whatever I'm doing, I'm doing to improve the welfare of the people of Zambia, We believe that I got more votes than Mwanawasa," he said.