Amanze Chinonye
Zambia’s Electoral Commission suspended the counting and announcement of election results nationwide on Friday, citing violence against polling staff and the theft of marked ballot papers a day after voters went to the polls, Prime Business Africa reports.
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Chief Electoral Officer Brown Kasaro said the suspension took immediate effect because of the security situation and continued threats against election personnel. The commission said it would review the decision within 24 hours.
“The violence is targeted at poll staff,” Kasaro said at a briefing in Lusaka, adding that in some instances it had resulted in the theft of marked ballot papers from ballot boxes.
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The commission had not announced any official presidential results before the suspension, although some preliminary constituency-level results had been released. The halt also affects the counting of parliamentary ballots. Results had initially been expected on Monday, but it remains unclear whether the suspension would alter that timetable.
President Hakainde Hichilema is seeking a second term after Thursday’s presidential, parliamentary and local government elections. His main challenger, Brian Mundubile, has claimed victory based on his campaign’s tabulation.
Hichilema, meanwhile, has urged Zambians to remain calm and patient while awaiting the official outcome from the electoral authorities.
Mundubile has also alleged that military personnel took control of some counting stations and that ballot boxes were removed from other locations. He is yet to provide evidence to those claims, As there were no immediate signs of unrest in Lusaka, according to Reports.
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About 8 million registered voters took part in Thursday’s election, which also included contests for parliament and local government. Hichilema faced 13 other presidential candidates, including Mundubile, who was regarded as his strongest challenger.
The presidential election requires a candidate to secure more than 50% of valid votes to win outright. If no candidate reaches that threshold, the leading contenders will face a runoff.
The suspension has left the election outcome uncertain and shifted attention to the commission’s security review.
The next steps will depend on whether authorities can restore safe conditions for electoral officials and materials, allowing the count to resume and the results to be formally verified and announced.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
