Zambia Resumes Vote Counting After Suspension

The Electoral Commission of Zambia has resumed counting votes after suspending the process over reports of ballot paper theft and violence against election officials.

The commission announced the resumption on Friday after authorities reviewed security concerns arising from Thursday’s presidential, parliamentary, and local government elections.

President Hakainde Hichilema is seeking a second term after taking office in 2021 and overseeing efforts to address Zambia’s debt crisis and strengthen the country’s economy.

He is facing 13 other presidential candidates, including opposition leader Brian Mundubile, who heads an alliance of opposition parties and is regarded as Hichilema’s strongest challenger.

The electoral commission has yet to announce official presidential results.

The earlier suspension followed reports that violence had targeted election officials and that marked ballot papers had been stolen from ballot boxes in some locations.

Hichilema had urged citizens to remain calm while the electoral process continued. In a post on X before the resumption, he called on Zambians to “remain peaceful, patient and patriotic” while awaiting the official outcome from electoral authorities.

The election is being closely watched in Zambia, where previous multi-party polls have generally been peaceful despite occasional incidents of electoral violence.

The decision of the commission to resume counting allows the process to continue as officials work towards the announcement of the presidential results.

SOURCE: TRTAfrika