Zambia’s election tally is back underway after a security scare interrupted the counting of votes from Thursday’s presidential, parliamentary and local government elections, putting the Electoral Commission under fresh pressure to deliver the results within its revised timeline.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) had paused the exercise after receiving reports of attacks involving polling officials and alleged incidents in which marked ballot papers were taken from ballot boxes.
The commission said it made the decision to restart the process after reviewing the situation and consulting law enforcement agencies.
According to the ECZ, the security concerns that had disrupted the election process had been contained, while measures had been put in place to allow officials to proceed with the tally.
ECZ Plans to Announce Results by Sunday
The commission has set the end of Sunday as its target for declaring the presidential results.
Counting began after polling stations closed on Thursday, but the suspension meant that no official presidential results had been announced before the process was interrupted.
The development has placed greater focus on how the remaining votes will be handled, verified and announced as the commission works to complete the exercise.
The suspension had already drawn criticism from opposition candidate Brian Mundubile, who expressed “grave concern” over the absence of presidential results.
Mundubile warned that prolonged delays could create room for interference or manipulation, while pointing to what he called “deeply troubling reports” emerging from different parts of the country.
He raised allegations of military involvement at some tallying centres and questioned the movement of ballot boxes during the process.
The opposition candidate called for the immediate release of results from individual polling stations, arguing that this would help strengthen transparency in the tallying exercise.
He also demanded protection of election materials throughout the chain of custody and called for investigations into the incidents that had been reported.
Mundubile further claimed that his party's own figures placed him ahead in the presidential race.
President Hakainde Hichilema has meanwhile asked Zambians to remain calm while waiting for the official results.
The incumbent, who is seeking another five-year term, called on citizens to “remain peaceful, patient and patriotic as we await the official outcome from those entrusted with managing the vote”.
The election day itself was largely peaceful, although some polling centres experienced long queues and delays.
More than eight million registered voters were eligible to participate in the presidential, parliamentary and local government elections.
Although 14 candidates contested the presidency, the election has largely been viewed as a battle between Hichilema and Mundubile.
Mundubile is contesting under the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP), having previously served as a minister during the Patriotic Front administration.
Hichilema, 64, came to power in 2021 after six unsuccessful attempts at the presidency and is now seeking what would be his second and final term.
His campaign has focused on employment opportunities and infrastructure development, with his administration also pointing to debt restructuring, a stronger currency and lower inflation as areas of progress.
The economic situation, however, remains a major concern for some voters, with critics arguing that improvements in key indicators have not been felt widely at household level.
Former PF Supporters Back Mundubile
Mundubile's political support has included sections of the former Patriotic Front establishment and people who backed late former President Edgar Lungu.
Lungu governed Zambia before Hichilema took office in 2021 and died more than a year ago.
His remains are still in South Africa following a dispute between his family and the Hichilema administration over arrangements for his burial.
The disagreement has continued to fuel political tensions between supporters of the former president and the current government.
The election has also drawn attention to Zambia's record on political freedoms and civil rights.
Amnesty International has criticised the United Party for National Development government over what it described as restrictions on rights and freedoms during the period leading up to the vote.
Civil society monitors, however, reported that the voting process was generally orderly, despite some delays and procedural problems at certain polling stations.
International observers were also deployed to monitor the election.
Voters interviewed during polling offered differing views on what they wanted from the next government.
Mwiche Nalupumbwe, 26, was among those who arrived early and queued despite cold weather.
“Zambians are frustrated, and this election is 50-50; that is why we are all here early to make the change,” he told AFP.
James Phiri, a 29-year-old University of Zambia student, said he voted for Hichilema because of what he considered improvements under his administration.
“I voted for HH because he cares about us,” he told Reuters.
“Things are better after he re-introduced meal allowances,” he added.
Samuel Chitendwe, a 47-year-old welder and father of four, took the opposite view and said he backed Mundubile.
“I have just come from firing someone. We are tired of stories about economic progress,” he told Reuters.
Zambia's presidential election requires a candidate to obtain more than half of the votes cast to avoid a second round.
Should no candidate cross the 50 per cent mark, a run-off would have to be held within 37 days.
The resumption of tallying now puts the ECZ at the centre of attention as it works to verify the remaining results, address concerns surrounding the process and meet its Sunday deadline for announcing the presidential outcome.