Presidential vote counting halted in Zambia over alleged attacks on polling staff

Zambia's electoral commission suspended the nationwide counting of votes on Friday following reports of violence and alleged attacks on polling staff in some districts. The decision affects the presidential, parliamentary, and local elections that took place on Thursday across the copper-rich southern African nation.

The elections were primarily focused on economic hardship facing the country. Amid the suspension of the vote-tallying process, political figures have begun making claims regarding the outcome, with Brian Mundubile claiming victory and incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema stating that his team was receiving encouraging results.