The Zambian Electoral Commission announced today that it has suspended the counting of votes from Thursday’s presidential and parliamentary elections. The decision follows reports of assaults on polling staff and the theft of stamped ballot papers from ballot boxes.
President Hakainde Hichilema, who is running for a second five‑year term, faces Brian Mundubile in what many observers consider a two‑horse race, though official ballots list 14 candidates.
Claims of violence arose after polls closed early in the evening, though the day overall saw orderly voting, long lines, and only minor delays. Polling staff were reportedly attacked, leading to the commission’s concern about ballot integrity.
The commission said it will review the suspension within the next 24 hours and must declare the outcome by the end of Sunday. With more than eight million registered voters, the results will determine Zambia’s new president and its parliamentary makeup.
Observers have noted that the election serves as a benchmark of Zambia’s democratic record amid broader discussions about political freedoms and human rights in the country.
