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Zambia halts election result announcement
2 hrs ago |
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The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), chaired by President Hakainde Hichilema's former personal lawyer Mwangala Zaloumis, has suspended the counting and announcement of election results across the country with immediate effect following reports of violence at several centres.
In a statement issued on Friday, August 14, 2026, the electoral body said polling staff had been targeted during the counting and announcement of results, with some incidents allegedly resulting in the theft of marked ballot papers from ballot boxes.
“In view of the security situation and continued threats of violence, the Commission has with immediate effect suspended the counting and announcement of results throughout the country,“ the ECZ said.
The Commission invoked Section 67(3) of the Electoral Process Act No. 35 of 2016 in imposing the nationwide suspension.
The dramatic decision comes as results from Zambia's August 13 general elections were still being announced and political tensions were mounting around the counting process.
The ECZ said it had received reports of violence in some districts, particularly targeting polling staff involved in the counting and announcement of results.
It said the incidents had in some cases escalated to the theft of marked ballot papers contained in ballot boxes, raising concerns over the integrity and security of the electoral process.
“The Electoral Commission of Zambia has noted with concern reports of violence during the counting and announcement of results in some districts,“ the statement said.
“The violence is targeted at Poll staff and in some instances has resulted in the theft of marked ballot papers in ballot boxes.“
The Commission said the suspension was necessary because of the prevailing security situation and continuing threats of violence.
It added that the decision would be reviewed within 24 hours, meaning the nationwide halt could be reassessed as early as Saturday.
The announcement comes at a critical stage of the election, with political parties and candidates awaiting further results from the presidential, parliamentary and local government contests.
ECZ chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis signed the statement announcing the suspension.
The Commission has not yet provided details on the districts where the reported violence occurred or indicated how the alleged theft of marked ballot papers would affect the affected results.
The suspension is likely to heighten uncertainty around the outcome of the closely watched election as the country awaits the resumption of the counting and announcement process.
In a statement issued on Friday, August 14, 2026, the electoral body said polling staff had been targeted during the counting and announcement of results, with some incidents allegedly resulting in the theft of marked ballot papers from ballot boxes.
“In view of the security situation and continued threats of violence, the Commission has with immediate effect suspended the counting and announcement of results throughout the country,“ the ECZ said.
The Commission invoked Section 67(3) of the Electoral Process Act No. 35 of 2016 in imposing the nationwide suspension.
The dramatic decision comes as results from Zambia's August 13 general elections were still being announced and political tensions were mounting around the counting process.
The ECZ said it had received reports of violence in some districts, particularly targeting polling staff involved in the counting and announcement of results.
It said the incidents had in some cases escalated to the theft of marked ballot papers contained in ballot boxes, raising concerns over the integrity and security of the electoral process.
“The Electoral Commission of Zambia has noted with concern reports of violence during the counting and announcement of results in some districts,“ the statement said.
“The violence is targeted at Poll staff and in some instances has resulted in the theft of marked ballot papers in ballot boxes.“
The Commission said the suspension was necessary because of the prevailing security situation and continuing threats of violence.
It added that the decision would be reviewed within 24 hours, meaning the nationwide halt could be reassessed as early as Saturday.
The announcement comes at a critical stage of the election, with political parties and candidates awaiting further results from the presidential, parliamentary and local government contests.
ECZ chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis signed the statement announcing the suspension.
The Commission has not yet provided details on the districts where the reported violence occurred or indicated how the alleged theft of marked ballot papers would affect the affected results.
The suspension is likely to heighten uncertainty around the outcome of the closely watched election as the country awaits the resumption of the counting and announcement process.
Source - online
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