Zambia Halts Presidential Vote Count Amid Security Concerns and Allegations of Ballot Theft

LUSAKA, Zambia — The Electoral Commission of Zambia suspended the counting of presidential election ballots on Friday, citing reports of violence against polling officials and the theft of ballot papers.

The commission announced an immediate cessation of the count due to the current security climate and ongoing threats of violence, though it did not specify the parties responsible for the reported thefts. Officials stated that the decision would be reviewed within 24 hours.

In response, opposition leader Brian Mundubile claimed victory and warned that the suspension could create opportunities for the manipulation or interference of the final results. Mundubile alleged that military personnel had seized control of counting centers in at least one town and that ballot boxes had been removed from other stations, though he provided no evidence to support these claims.

While reports of unrest surfaced in other regions, the capital city of Lusaka remained calm.

Since transitioning to a multiparty democracy in 1991, the former British colony has generally maintained a record of peaceful elections. However, President Hakainde Hichilema faced criticism leading up to Thursday’s vote, with independent rights groups and opposition figures accusing his administration of suppressing dissent.

Mundubile’s alliance specifically accused the government of orchestrating a law enforcement raid on their offices shortly before the election to undermine their campaign efforts.

The election saw President Hichilema seeking a second term against 13 challengers, with Mundubile positioned as the primary opponent. While the commission initially expected to announce results by Monday, it noted they could be released sooner.

In addition to the presidency, Zambians cast votes for local councilors and members of Parliament. Approximately 8 million registered voters participated across more than 13,500 polling stations in the nation of 22 million people.

The vote served as a critical referendum on Hichilema’s economic policies. While he is credited with stabilizing the economy following a 2020 debt crisis, critics argue that these reforms have failed to alleviate the hardships faced by ordinary citizens, who continue to struggle with electricity shortages and a rising cost of living.

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