Zambia’s electoral commission announced an immediate suspension of all vote‑counting across the country after a series of attacks on polling staff led to the theft of marked ballot papers.
“We have seen isolated violent incidents that resulted in the theft of ballots. To preserve the integrity of the election, we have halted the count,” the commission said in a statement late Thursday.
Incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema is seeking a second five‑year term while opposition candidate Brian Mundubile, representing the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity, is the main challenger. With 13 candidates on the ballot, the race has been viewed as a two‑horse contest.
The commission has until Sunday to declare the final result and stated it would review the suspension decision within 24 hours. The brief pause has left voters and international observers uncertain about when or if the tally will resume.
Security concerns emerged when a handful of polling stations were assaulted, leading to the removal of marked ballots from ballot boxes. Local observers reported that most polling was orderly but noted delays and procedural mishaps in several areas.
Commenting on the events, a voter from Lusaka’s Kafue neighborhood said, “Zambians are frustrated; it feels like the 50‑50 fight keeps us vigilant.” He added that he voted for President Hichilema because of what he sees as genuine care for the people.
For the opposition, Mundubile’s campaign has highlighted perceived stagnation and the influence of former President Edgar Lungu’s supporters. Mundubile, a former minister in the Patriotic Front, called for unity, a focus on the youth and women, and described the election as a celebration of a new independence.
The situation casts a shadow over Zambia’s reputation for democratic stability. Calls for transparent resolution have grown louder amid concurrent criticism that the UPND government restricts rights and freedoms, a claim Amnesty International has highlighted.
