Zambia resumes vote count under security after attacks on poll staff

Vote counting in Zambia's presidential election was briefly suspended on Friday after the electoral commission reported attacks on polling station officials and the theft of marked ballot papers. The count resumed hours later under heightened security, with riot police and army vehicles deployed around the main tallying centre in Lusaka.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia said the violence was targeted at poll staff and in some cases involved the theft of ballot boxes. It did not identify who was responsible. Commission chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis told a press briefing that the security threat had been contained and that law enforcement agencies would ensure counting and the announcement of results proceed peacefully.

Zambia, a nation of 22 million people, has held largely peaceful elections since returning to multiparty democracy in 1991. Thursday's vote was seen as a test of President Hakainde Hichilema's economic recovery plan after the country faced a debt crisis in 2020. Hichilema, who took office in 2021, has overseen debt restructuring and stabilised inflation and the currency, but critics say the gains have not reached many citizens facing high living costs and electricity shortages.

Hichilema, 64, faced 13 other candidates, with the main challenge expected from Brian Mundubile, a 55-year-old lawyer leading an opposition alliance. Mundubile questioned the credibility of the vote, saying the suspension could allow interference with results. He called for records to be published and every number reconciled, and claimed without providing evidence that military personnel had taken control of counting stations in at least one town.

About 8 million people were registered to vote at more than 13,500 polling stations across the country. Zambians also voted for members of Parliament and local government councilors. Hichilema urged citizens to remain peaceful and patient while awaiting the official outcome.