The Electoral Commission of Zambia announced on Friday that it has suspended the counting of votes in the country’s presidential election. The decision follows reports of attacks targeting polling officials and the theft of ballot papers, with the commission citing the current security situation and ongoing threats of violence as the primary reasons for the immediate halt. Officials stated that they intend to review the situation within 24 hours.
While the commission did not identify who might be responsible for the reported theft, the main opposition leader, Brian Mundubile, has already claimed victory. Mundubile expressed concern that the delay could create an opportunity for the manipulation or interference of the election results. He alleged that military personnel had taken control of counting stations in at least one town and that ballot boxes had been removed from stations in other locations, though he did not provide evidence to support these claims. Despite these reports, there were no signs of unrest in the capital, Lusaka.
Zambia, a former British colony that returned to multiparty democracy in 1991, has generally held peaceful elections. However, this year's contest saw criticism directed at President Hakainde Hichilema from opposition groups and rights organizations, who accused his administration of suppressing dissent. Prior to the election, Mundubile’s alliance claimed that a law enforcement raid on their offices was a deliberate attempt to sabotage their campaign.
The election, which took place on Thursday, saw President Hichilema seeking a second term against 13 other candidates, including his strongest challenger, Mundubile. Approximately 8 million registered voters were eligible to cast ballots at over 13,500 polling stations across the nation of 22 million people. The vote was viewed as a referendum on Hichilema’s economic reforms, which aimed to address a 2020 debt crisis, though many citizens continue to struggle with high costs of living and electricity shortages. While results were initially expected by Monday, the commission noted that the final tally could be released sooner.
Zambians also voted for members of Parliament and local government councilors.
Hichilema stabilized the economy after a debt crisis in 2020, but critics say those reforms haven't yet benefited ordinary Zambians struggling with a high cost of living and electricity shortages.___AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa
