Lusaka, Nov 27 (IANS): Police in Zambia have stepped up measures to ensure peace ahead of a presidential election scheduled for Jan 20, a top official said Thursday.

Stella Libongani, the inspector general of Zambia Police, has since warned all political parties participating in the election, necessitated by the death of President Michael Sata, to observe provisions of the law that governs elections in the country.

"We would like to advise all political parties to observe the provisions of the Electoral Code of Conduct during this campaign period because abrogation of its provisions is an offence. We are also calling upon political parties to avail diaries of their intended rallies to us in order for us to plan in advance and avoid clashes of venues," Xinhua quoted her as saying in a statement.

The police have also advised political parties to ensure that they inform the police about their campaign meetings in order to avoid clashes with other parties.

So far, five opposition leaders have announced their intention to contest the presidential election and have since started campaigns which were officially launched Nov 19 by the country's electoral body.

The governing Patriotic Front is expected to choose its candidate for the presidential election Friday and Saturday during a general conference. Nine candidates have so far filed their nominations to contest the party's presidency, including Sata's widow, Christine, and his nephew, Miles Sampa.

The country's main opposition party, the Movement for Multiparty Democracy, has not picked its candidate following wrangles that have emerged as former leader Rupiah Banda also wants to stand on the party's ticket.

However, incumbent leader Nevers Mumba has maintained that he was the rightful candidate for the largest opposition party and would launch his campaigns this Saturday.