NewzLUSAKA, Zambia (AP) — Vote counting in Zambia’s presidential election was suspended by the electoral authority Friday over reports of attacks on polling officials and the “theft” of some ballot papers. Reuters Zambia’s election commission on Friday suspended the counting of votes and announcement of election results nationwide after reports of violence in some districts targeting election officials. Election officials told a briefing there had been instances where marked ballot papers in ballot boxes had been stolen, adding it would review the suspension within 24 hours.
The Southern African country held presidential, parliamentary and local government elections on Thursday. President Hakainde Hichilema is running for a second term after steering the major copper producer out of a debt crisis since taking office in 2021. Analysts say he is favoured to win, although the leading opposition candidate Brian Mundubile has drawn large crowds in some areas.
The full results were previously expected to be announced on Monday. It was unclear whether the suspension would change that. The post Zambia suspends vote counting over violence against election officials appeared first on NewZimbabwe.com.
The electoral commission said violence had "resulted in the theft of marked ballot papers". Zambia has halted the counting and publication of election results after violence targeting poll workers and reports of stolen ballots. The electoral commission says it will reassess the suspension within 24 hours.
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