Zambia's electoral commission suspended the counting and publication of results for the presidential and parliamentary elections with immediate effect. The decision followed reports of violence targeting poll workers in some districts and instances of stolen marked ballot papers. The commission stated the suspension was necessary due to the security situation and continued threats of violence.
The suspension triggered concerns regarding the vote in Zambia, a nation traditionally seen as one of Africa's most stable democracies. As both top candidates claimed leads, former minister Brian Mundubile, the main challenger to President Hakainde Hichilema, claimed a first-round victory. Mundubile expressed grave concern over the continued delay in the process.
The electoral authority initially indicated it would review the decision to suspend the count within 24 hours. Following this period, the commission resumed the counting of ballots after announcing that the security threat to the process had been contained.