By Sukoluhle Ndlovu
Zambia’s Electoral Commission (ECZ) has suspended the counting and announcement of election results nationwide following reports of violence and the theft of marked ballot papers.
The suspension took effect on Friday, less than 24 hours after Zambians went to the polls in presidential, parliamentary and local government elections on Thursday, August 13.
In a statement signed by ECZ Chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis, the electoral body said it had received reports of violence and incidents in which marked ballot papers had allegedly been stolen from ballot boxes in some districts.
“ECZ has noted with concern reports of violence and in some cases theft of marked ballot papers from ballot boxes in some districts,” the commission said.
The ECZ said it had invoked Section 67(3) of the Electoral Process Act No. 35 of 2016 in suspending the tallying process.
“In view of the security situation and continued threats of violence, the Commission has with immediate effect suspended the counting and announcement of results throughout the country,” Zaloumis said.
The commission said the decision would be reviewed within 24 hours, meaning the timing of the resumption of counting remains uncertain.
The suspension has disrupted the release of preliminary results from tallying centres across the country, with election officials and party agents ordered to halt the process while security concerns are assessed.
Security personnel have been deployed to protect election materials and counting centres as tensions rise following the poll.
President Hakainde Hichilema, who is seeking a second term, faces 13 other presidential candidates, with opposition candidate Brian Mundubile emerging as his main challenger.
Hichilema, who came to power in 2021 after defeating then-President Edgar Lungu, has campaigned on his administration’s economic reforms, including debt restructuring and efforts to attract investment. However, the election has been held against a backdrop of concerns over the cost of living and accusations from opposition groups and rights organisations that the government has restricted political freedoms. The government has denied allegations of repression.
Mundubile, meanwhile, has campaigned on reducing the cost of living and increasing the benefits ordinary Zambians derive from the country’s mineral wealth.
The election attracted more than 8 million registered voters, who were also voting for members of the National Assembly and local government representatives.
The suspension comes as Zambia, which has generally been regarded as one of the region’s more stable electoral democracies, faces heightened political tensions.
Mundubile has reportedly claimed victory despite the absence of official results, while Hichilema has called for patience and calm as the electoral authorities address the security situation.
The ECZ has appealed to political parties, candidates, election officials and the public to remain peaceful while it assesses the reported incidents.
With the counting suspended nationwide and the commission expected to review its decision within 24 hours, uncertainty now surrounds when Zambia will begin receiving official results from the closely watched election.
