The Zambia electoral commission Friday says it is halting the counting of votes after Thursday’s presidential, parliamentary and local elections amid instances of reported violence targeting its polling staff.
More than eight million registered voters voted in the exercise spread across over 13,500 polling stations nationwide.
In a statement on Friday’, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) said the exercise has been suspended nationwide but indicated that the decision to stop the count will be assessed over the next 24 hours.
The ECZ said it is also concerned about reports suggesting the theft of marked ballot papers in ballot boxes which could compromise the integrity of votes.
This came just hours after Brian Mundubile, one of the leading contenders for the Zambian presidency expressed misgivings about the delays in announcing the presidential vote results given that this situation could encourage ballot-tampering.
He accused military personnel of showing up at collating centres as ballot boxes were being transported for vote-counting.
The presidential race pits incumbent Hakainde Hichilema, leader of the United Party for National Development, against main challenger Mundubile, a former minister backed by an alliance of opposition parties.
Fourteen candidates in total are contesting the presidency.
To win outright, a candidate must secure more than 50 percent of the vote; otherwise, a run‑off will be held between the top two contenders.
Hichilema, elected in 2021, is seeking a second five‑year term. His campaign has emphasised debt restructuring, economic stabilisation and attracting foreign investment, particularly in Zambia’s copper sector.
Mundubile has focused on reducing the cost of living, strengthening agriculture and restoring democratic freedoms.
Observers from local and international missions, including the European Union, monitored Thursday’s vote.
Long queues were reported in Lusaka and other urban centres, with voters braving early morning cold to cast their ballots.
The election carries high economic stakes.
Zambia is Africa’s second‑largest copper producer, and the mineral is vital for global electric vehicle and renewable energy industries.
Hichilema has pledged to raise annual copper production to three million metric tonnes by 2031 while opposition parties have promised to ensure mining revenues translate into lower living costs and improved services.
The ECZ has begun releasing preliminary tallies from constituencies but stressed that official results will only be declared once national verification is complete.
Final results are scheduled for 17 August.
WN/jn/as/APA