LUSAKA, September 5, 2008 (AFP) - Zambia's ruling MMD party was set Friday to choose a presidential candidate to fight forthcoming elections following the death of President Levy Mwanawasa, a party official said.

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) will through a secret ballot pick a candidate among its 19 aspirants, said party national secretary Katele Kalumba.

'The list has gone up to about 19 candidates. NEC will choose one through a vote,' Kalumba said.

Vice President Rupiah Banda was a favourite to win the ballot although he faced a challenge from Finance Minister Ngandu Magande who has reportedly been endorsed by Mwanawasa's wife.

Two former vice presidents, Nevers Mumba and Enock Kavindele, were also in the running as well as Home Affairs Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha and Health Minister Brian Chituwo.

The MMD's candidate would contest an election due to be held by November.

Main opposition leader Michael Sata of the Patriotic Front (PF), and Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development (UPND) are the opposition front runners in the presidential race.

Sata and Hichilema came second and third respectively behind Mwanawasa in the country's 2006 presidential poll.

Mwanawasa, 59, died last month in a Paris hospital after suffering a stroke.