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

Zambia's electoral commission has suspended vote counting for the presidential, parliamentary and local elections following reports of alleged attacks on polling staff. The process was halted nationwide with immediate effect over fears of violence that had allegedly resulted in the theft of marked ballot papers. President Hakainde Hichilema, seeking a second five-year term, is facing 13 opposition candidates in the election.

The electoral commission had initially targeted to announce results by the end of Sunday, but have not declared official results even hours after the halt came into effect. Opposition candidate Brian Mundubile expressed concern over delays, alleging military involvement and ballot box manipulation. Hichilema and Mundubile are the frontrunners in the election, which is seen as a test of Zambia's democratic stability.