Zambian President Rupiah Banda has received a major boost from his party to stand for presidency in the 2011 election following an endorsement by the ruling party's supreme council, Times of Zambia reported on Monday.

The ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) has endorsed Banda for the party's presidency at its forthcoming convention and eventually during the country's general elections in 2011, according to Times.

Party Spokersperson Benny Tetamashimba said in a statement on Sunday in Lusaka that the decision to present Banda as a sole candidate at the convention was made at a full meeting of the party's National Executive Committee (NEC).

"All the NEC members who stood against Mr. Banda when the MMD was selecting a candidate to lead the party into the elections last year actually supported the candidature Mr. Banda in the NEC meeting," Tetamashimba was quoted as saying.

He further said the decision to field Banda at the convention and as candidate for the 2011 presidential elections was arrived at in compliance with party's constitution.

Banda has already received overwhelming backing from party members in various provinces to stand as the party's presidential candidate in the 2011 election.

Source: Xinhua