Zambia suspends vote counting nationwide citing violence

Zambia halted vote counting across the country on Friday after receiving reports of violence in certain districts, the electoral commission announced. The Southern African nation held elections on Thursday, with the economy struggling as the primary focus. President Hakainde Hichilema, who has been in office since 2021, was contesting against Brian Mundubile, a 55-year-old ex-minister from the previous ruling party.

Violence targeted poll workers, sometimes culminating in the theft of marked ballots from ballot boxes, according to Brown Kasaro, the chief electoral officer. The commission plans to reassess the suspension within 24 hours. Mundubile declared a first-round victory on Friday, stating they had won the election at both the presidential level and majority seats in parliament.

Hichilema, on the other hand, reported encouraging results and urged citizens to remain peaceful, patient, and patriotic while awaiting the official outcome from those managing the vote. Official presidential results were anticipated on Monday. Hichilema, a 64-year-old billionaire, secured the presidency on his sixth attempt, aiming for job creation and infrastructure development to secure his fifth-year term.

He was supported by an alliance of opposition parties in the newly formed NRPUP party, which primarily drew its political base from the former ruling party. The race began in May, adding uncertainty to an election that had appeared to be a foregone conclusion for Hichilema. Of the 8.7 million registered voters, they also elected 226 parliamentary seats.

The parliamentary vote's counting was also put on hold. Zambia has a history of transferring power through the ballot box, with every change of president since the return to multiparty politics in 1991 being achieved through elections. However, the country has been scrutinized for Hichilema's government allegedly restricting dissent while promising economic recovery.

On election eve, Zambia's Human Rights Commission stated they were actively monitoring political arrests and detentions involving candidates, supporters, journalists, and other stakeholders. Earlier, the interior ministry claimed security forces had arrested several suspects accused of plotting to interfere with the electoral system, though they did not specify the number of arrests, mentioning three former senior government officials accused of providing technical services to disrupt the electoral system.

A 56-year-old Kenyan national was also detained, along with three others, including a former provincial minister, found in possession of over 7.3 million kwacha ($388,000) and summoned for investigation assistance. Despite having significant potential in cobalt, nickel, and manganese, Zambia continues to grapple with poverty, unemployment, and rising food prices.

More than 70% of its 22 million population lives on less than three US dollars a day, as per the World Bank. The previous government of late President Edgar Lungu left the country in sovereign default due to years of heavy borrowing. Hichilema's administration has since secured a landmark debt restructuring deal, restored an International Monetary Fund program, and returned the economy to a growth path, earning praise from international lenders and investors.