Zambia election credibility likely ‘compromised’, expert warns

Zambia's democratic process is at risk due to electoral challenges, with experts warning that the country's credibility is likely compromised. Violence against election officials and stolen ballot papers have prompted the Electoral Commission of Zambia to suspend vote counting in the presidential and parliamentary elections. The counting has since resumed, with the first results expected later on Saturday and the final outcome due on Monday.

Governance and election expert Tendai Mbanje from the University of Pretoria expressed concern over the lack of clarity surrounding the suspension and the magnitude of violence, which could provide grounds for an electoral dispute. Mbanje noted that the highly tense circumstances and economic struggles faced by Zambians further threaten the integrity of the electoral process.