Vote Counting Suspended Day After Zambia's Presidential Election Amid Violence and Ballot Theft

Vote counting has been suspended in Zambia a day after the African nation held its presidential, general, and local elections on Thursday, August 13.

According to agencies such as AFP, the Electoral Commission of Zambia announced on Friday, August 14, that it has suspended counting nationwide following reports of violence during the counting process in some regions.

In Zambia, after polls close following the conclusion of voting, ballot counting takes place on-site at polling stations under the observation of party agents and other monitors.

Brown Kasaro, the chief electoral officer of the commission, stated, "Violence has been directed at polling staff, and in some instances, marked ballots have been stolen from ballot boxes."

The commission did not disclose the scale of the violence or the extent of the ballot theft.

Zambia held its presidential, general, and local elections simultaneously from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Thursday.

The presidential race features 14 candidates, including incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema, who is running for re-election, and former minister Brian Mundubile of the opposition alliance Tonse Pamodzi Alliance.

Ahead of the election, many experts projected a slight lead for President Hichilema, but candidate Mundubile claimed on Friday that he had won the election.

Mundubile stated, "We have won the presidential election and secured a majority in parliament," adding, "We are deeply concerned by the continued delays in the transparent announcement and verification of the presidential election results."

President Hichilema wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday, "We continue to receive encouraging results alongside nationwide peace, unity, and solidarity," urging citizens to "remain peaceful, patient, and patriotic until those entrusted to manage the vote announce the official results."

Election results were originally scheduled to be announced around Monday, August 17, but the suspension of vote counting has cast uncertainty on whether the timeline will be met.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.