Zambia resumes vote count after pause over violence

Zambia resumed vote counting Friday after halting the process the previous day due to alleged attacks on polling staff and the theft of marked ballot papers, heightening tensions. The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) announced the suspension had been lifted following assurances that security threats to the electoral process had been contained and measures were in place to allow the counting to continue.

Incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema, who had led in the first batch of results released overnight, now leads with 22,476 votes compared to opposition leader Brian Mundubile's 14,388 votes. The count was underway in 226 constituencies, with results from four of them accounting for the majority of the tally.

Hichilema, in power since 2021, faced 13 challengers, with Mundubile, a former minister in the previous government, emerging as the main rival. The opposition leader claimed a first-round win in the presidential election, stating that his party had secured a parliamentary majority. He alleged widespread intimidation and manipulation orchestrated by state-associated elements to interfere with the democratic will of the Zambian people.

The country, known for its history of peaceful power transitions, held the election amid concerns over a tightening political environment and alleged curbs on campaigning. The suspension of vote counting drew criticism from civil society groups and opposition parties. Hichilema urged citizens to maintain peace and follow the rule of law as they awaited the official announcement of the presidential vote's winner, expected on Monday.