Lusaka - Zambia's Supreme Court has rejected an application by opposition leader Michael Sata for a recount of votes from last year's October presidential by-election, which he lost, local radio reported Wednesday.

Sata, leader of the Patriotic Front, had sought a recount of the votes cast after narrowly losing to current president, Rupiah Banda, in the election for a successor to deceased leader Levy Mwanawasa.

Sata had accused the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) of giving Banda an advantage by allowing voting to continue in some places for two days after the election. The ECZ had said the extension was to allow for the delivery of election materials to remote districts.

Sata also claimed that the ECZ allowed unauthorized persons to conduct election business at eight polling stations.

Acting Chief Justice Ireen Mambilima, a former head of the election commission, dismissed the application, saying it lacked merit.

In every presidential election in Zambia since 1996, the loser has alleged election fraud and gone to court to challenge the result.

This tendency has contributed to political uncertainty in Africa's largest copper producer. (dpa)