Zambia suspends election vote counting over reports of violence

What the report says

Zambia’s electoral commission suspended nationwide vote counting for at least 24 hours on Friday after reports of violence during the presidential and parliamentary elections held the previous day, according to France24 Africa. Chief electoral officer Brown Kasaro said some incidents were directed at poll workers and, in certain cases, involved the theft of marked ballot papers. The commission said it would review the pause within a day.

The election pitted President Hakainde Hichilema, who has governed since 2021, against 14 challengers, including former minister Brian Mundubile, his main rival. Mundubile claimed victory and expressed concern about the delay in announcing and verifying results. Hichilema, meanwhile, said his camp was seeing encouraging results and urged the public to stay peaceful while awaiting the official outcome.

France24 Africa reported that official presidential results were expected on Monday. Counting in the parliamentary contest was also suspended. The vote took place amid economic stress, with the campaign shaped by concerns over jobs, inflation and living standards. Zambia has generally been seen as having a record of peaceful transfers of power through elections, but the article noted growing scrutiny of political space and rights under Hichilema’s government.

The report also said security agencies had recently arrested several suspects accused of trying to interfere with the electoral system, adding another layer of tension around the vote.