Zambia Suspends Vote Counting Over Alleged Attacks on Polling Staff
The Zambia Electoral Commission announced on Thursday that it will halt the counting of ballots for the country’s presidential and parliamentary election after a series of incidents that led to the removal of marked ballots from polling stations.
The decision followed reports of violence that "resulted in the theft of marked ballot papers in ballot boxes". The commission said it would pause counting nationwide with immediate effect while it reviews the evidence, and stated it could lift the suspension within 24 hours.
President Hakainde Hichilema, who is seeking a second five‑year term, is the incumbent in a contest largely seen as a two‑horse race against Brian Mundubile, the main opposition candidate from the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP). Mundubile, a former patron of the Patriotic Front, has positioned himself as a candidate who will address the frustration of voters who say the economy has not improved under Hichilema’s administration.
Voters across the country, including young participants such as 26‑year‑old Mwiche Nalupumbwe who queued early at polling stations, underscored the importance of the election as a referendum on Hichilema’s economic record, which included debt restructuring, currency strengthening and lower inflation. However, Amnesty International has criticized the government for restricting freedoms and rights during the campaign, a claim that remains unaddressed by Zambian authorities.
With a voter registry of over eight million, the election day was largely peaceful. The commission noted that tickets remained in safe custody and that ballot box integrity was monitored. The suspension of counting, however, threatens to delay the announcement of results, which is legally required by Sunday, and could trigger a run‑off if no candidate secures a majority within 37 days.
The event comes amid broader concerns about Zambia’s political freedoms. A dispute over the burial of former President Edgar Lungu has intensified divisions, reflecting the delicate balance between stability and dissent in the country’s political landscape.
The commission’s suspension is a decisive step aimed at ensuring the integrity of the electoral count amid incidents that could compromise democratic norms. It reflects a cautious stance, balancing the need for a transparent process with the chaotic reports of violence at polling stations. As the nation waits for further updates, the outcome of this election will continue to be seen as a litmus test of Zambia’s democratic resilience.
