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Zambia resumes election vote count after suspension over violence
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has resumed counting votes for the presidential and parliamentary elections following a temporary suspension caused by reports of violence and the theft of ballot papers. The pause, which lasted several hours on Friday, occurred amid heightened political tension and the deployment of security forces and armored vehicles in the capital, Lusaka.
Opposition candidate Brian Mundubile claimed a first-round victory for both the presidency and parliament, alleging that the suspension provided an opportunity for result manipulation and that state elements were orchestrating intimidation. Conversely, incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema has urged the public to remain patient and peaceful while awaiting official results. Early partial results from a small number of constituencies indicated a lead for Hichilema.
International observer missions, including those from the European Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), have raised serious concerns regarding the election's credibility. Observers cited reports of intimidation, abductions, and physical assaults. ECZ Chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis stated that the security threat had been contained and warned candidates against prematurely declaring victory, noting that doing so is an offense. Official final results are expected by Monday.
Entities
Brian Mundubile · Electoral Commission of Zambia · Hakainde Hichilema · Lusaka · Mwangala Zaloumis · Zambia
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] International observer missions from the EU and SADC expressed concerns regarding intimidation, abductions, and the credibility of the process. barbadosgazette.com · newscentraltv.com · ca.news.yahoo.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Electoral Commission of Zambia warned candidates that declaring themselves winners before official results are released is an offense. www.riotimesonline.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Early partial results from a small number of constituencies showed Hakainde Hichilema leading Brian Mundubile. newscentraltv.com · information.tv5monde.com · www.riotimesonline.com
- [● 10 SOURCES] The Electoral Commission of Zambia suspended vote counting on Friday due to security threats and the theft of ballot papers. thevoicenewsmagazine.com · barbadosgazette.com · www.sabcnews.com · www.malatyaguncel.com · newscentraltv.com · +5 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] Opposition candidate Brian Mundubile claimed a first-round victory in both the presidential and parliamentary elections. thevoicenewsmagazine.com · barbadosgazette.com · information.tv5monde.com · www.riotimesonline.com · www.world-today-news.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Police reported that one political party official was killed at a polling station during the election. fr.news.yahoo.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema urged citizens to remain peaceful and patient while awaiting official results. www.malatyaguncel.com · fr.news.yahoo.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Security forces and armored vehicles were deployed in Lusaka following the suspension of the vote count. www.malatyaguncel.com · fr.news.yahoo.com