Electoral commission halts tallying nationwide amid security concerns

Zambia’s Electoral Commission (ECZ) has suspended the counting and announcement of election results nationwide following reports of violence targeting election officials and the theft of marked ballot papers after Thursday’s presidential, parliamentary, and local government elections. The commission said the suspension would be reviewed within 24 hours as authorities assess the security situation. Reuters reported that Chief Electoral Officer Brown Kasaro said poll workers had been attacked and that marked ballot papers had been removed from some ballot boxes, raising concerns about the integrity of the counting process.

Concerns over ballot security

The ECZ did not specify how many districts were affected, but said continued threats against its staff made it impossible to proceed with tallying and publishing results. The suspension is an unusual development in Zambia, which has generally been regarded as one of southern Africa’s more stable multi-party democracies.

Hichilema seeks second term

President Hakainde Hichilema is seeking a second term after taking office in 2021 and overseeing debt restructuring and economic reform efforts in the copper-producing nation. He had earlier urged citizens to remain peaceful, patient, and patriotic while waiting for official results, saying he had received encouraging preliminary indications from across the country.

Opposition claims victory

Opposition leader Brian Mundubile of the Tonse Alliance claimed his coalition had won the election and called for the immediate release of results, although he did not provide evidence to support the claim. He also expressed concern that delays in announcing the presidential outcome could undermine public confidence in the process.

Results could be delayed

Before the suspension, official presidential results had been expected by Monday. It remains unclear whether the halt in counting will affect that timeline. Preliminary constituency-level tallies had begun emerging, but the ECZ has not yet released any official nationwide presidential figures.

A key election for Zambia’s future

The election is being closely watched both domestically and internationally because it is widely viewed as a test of Hichilema’s economic reforms and Zambia’s democratic institutions. More than 8 million registered voters participated in the poll, with the outcome expected to shape the future of Africa’s second-largest copper producer at a time of rising global demand for critical minerals. Rights groups and opposition parties had raised concerns during the campaign about alleged restrictions on opposition activity, allegations the government has denied.

Authorities appeal for calm

Despite the political tensions, Lusaka remained largely calm on Friday, and security forces have appealed for restraint while the electoral commission reviews the suspension. The ECZ said protecting election officials and safeguarding ballot materials remain its immediate priorities as it works to restore confidence in the counting process.