Zambia’s electoral authority suspends and then resumes vote counting in the presidential election after reports of violence and the theft of marked ballot papers. Multiple outlets say the counting was halted over concerns for the security of the electoral process, including alleged attacks on polling staff.
According to the reports, the suspension comes after elections held the day before, covering both presidential and parliamentary polls. The electoral commission says it will reassess the pause within about 24 hours, though outlets describe the vote count interruption as part of a broader “security situation.” While some observers and commentators express concern about what the disruptions mean for the credibility of results, others focus on the commission’s stated procedure for reviewing the suspension.
After the halt, outlets including DW and France 24 report that vote counting resumes nationwide. France 24 also notes that the opposition leader Brian Mundubile claims victory, reflecting that political assertions continue alongside the technical process of counting and result publication. Several sources note that the commission does not specify who is responsible for the alleged ballot theft.
