News / National
Electoral Commission of Zambia orders stakeholders out of results centre
2 hrs ago |
55 Views
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has reportedly ordered all stakeholders to leave the election results totalling centre as the country grapples with a 24-hour suspension of vote counting and the announcement of results.
Zambian broadcast journalist Alice Mutangala reported that only police officers and ECZ officials have been permitted to remain inside the results centre following the directive.
The development comes hours after the ECZ suspended the counting and announcement of election results nationwide for 24 hours, citing reports of violence at some centres.
The Commission 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.
The nationwide suspension was imposed under Section 67(3) of the Electoral Process Act No. 35 of 2016.
The ECZ said it would review the suspension within 24 hours, leaving political parties, candidates, observers and other stakeholders awaiting further guidance on when the counting and announcement process will resume.
The reported removal of stakeholders from the totalling centre is likely to intensify scrutiny of the electoral process, particularly given that the suspension has already raised concerns about transparency and access to the results management process.
The totalling centre is a key point in the election process where results are received and consolidated, making the presence of political party representatives and other stakeholders important for scrutiny and confidence in the process.
The latest development comes as competing political parties make claims about the emerging results.
National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity presidential candidate Brian Mundubile has already claimed victory, saying his party's Parallel Voter Tabulation indicates that it won the election.
His claim has not been independently verified and the ECZ has not declared a winner.
The Commission is headed by Mwangala Zaloumis, who previously served as President Hakainde Hichilema's personal lawyer.
The ECZ has not yet publicly provided further details on the reported directive ordering stakeholders to leave the results centre.
The decision is likely to heighten political tension as Zambia awaits the resumption of the counting and official announcement of results.
Zambian broadcast journalist Alice Mutangala reported that only police officers and ECZ officials have been permitted to remain inside the results centre following the directive.
Zambia joins the club of African countries with disputed election results! The Edgar Lungu spirit haunting Zambians? pic.twitter.com/L5hs9py48C
— Bulawayo24 News (@Bulawayo24News) August 14, 2026
The development comes hours after the ECZ suspended the counting and announcement of election results nationwide for 24 hours, citing reports of violence at some centres.
The Commission 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.
The nationwide suspension was imposed under Section 67(3) of the Electoral Process Act No. 35 of 2016.
The ECZ said it would review the suspension within 24 hours, leaving political parties, candidates, observers and other stakeholders awaiting further guidance on when the counting and announcement process will resume.
The totalling centre is a key point in the election process where results are received and consolidated, making the presence of political party representatives and other stakeholders important for scrutiny and confidence in the process.
The latest development comes as competing political parties make claims about the emerging results.
National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity presidential candidate Brian Mundubile has already claimed victory, saying his party's Parallel Voter Tabulation indicates that it won the election.
His claim has not been independently verified and the ECZ has not declared a winner.
The Commission is headed by Mwangala Zaloumis, who previously served as President Hakainde Hichilema's personal lawyer.
The ECZ has not yet publicly provided further details on the reported directive ordering stakeholders to leave the results centre.
The decision is likely to heighten political tension as Zambia awaits the resumption of the counting and official announcement of results.
Source - online
Join the discussion
Loading comments…
