Zambia's electoral commission has resumed the counting of votes from Thursday's presidential, parliamentary, and local elections after a temporary halt prompted by reports of alleged attacks on polling staff. The nationwide pause, which began on Friday, was lifted following a review of the security situation and consultations with law enforcement agencies.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) expressed "grave concern" when it initially halted the process, citing reports of violence that had "resulted in the theft of marked ballot papers in ballot boxes." In its Friday evening update, the commission stated that "the security threat to the electoral process has been contained and the necessary measures have been put in place to enable the process to continue."
Counting had commenced as soon as polls closed on Thursday evening, but no official results had been declared before the halt was announced. The ECZ has set itself a target of announcing the final results by the end of Sunday.
The election sees incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema seeking a second five-year term. His main challenger among 13 other candidates is Brian Mundubile, leader of the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP).
Earlier on Friday, Mr Mundubile voiced "grave concern" over the delays in the announcement of presidential results. He warned that the prolonged delay could create opportunities for interference or manipulation of the electoral outcome. He cited what he described as "deeply troubling reports" from various areas, which included alleged military involvement at tallying centres and concerns regarding the movement of ballot boxes. Mr Mundubile called for the immediate publication of results polling station by polling station, the robust protection of the chain of custody for all electoral materials, and comprehensive investigations into all reported incidents. He also stated that his party's internal tabulation of results indicated he had won the presidential contest.
In response to the unfolding situation, President Hichilema issued a statement urging Zambians to "remain peaceful, patient and patriotic as we await the official outcome from those entrusted with managing the vote."
Polling day itself, on Thursday, was largely reported as peaceful. Queues were observed at many polling stations across the country, including during a chilly Thursday morning in the capital, Lusaka, with only isolated delays reported. More than eight million registered voters participated, choosing not only a president but also members of parliament and local councils.
The election was widely regarded as a significant test of Zambia's reputation as one of Africa's most stable democracies. This was amid broader concerns that political freedoms within the country have been facing erosion.
Despite the presence of 14 candidates on the presidential ballot paper, the contest was largely perceived as a two-horse race between President Hichilema, 64, of the United Party for National Development (UPND), and Mr Mundubile, running under the NRPUP banner.
President Hichilema is credited by many for steering Zambia through a challenging economic period. His first term has seen efforts towards debt restructuring, a strengthening of the national currency, and lowered inflation. However, his popularity has reportedly been dented by widespread public sentiment that individual circumstances have not seen significant improvement. Mr Mundubile's campaign aimed to capitalise on this perceived dissatisfaction among voters.
Mr Mundubile previously served as a minister in the Patriotic Front (PF) government, which was in power from 2011 to 2021. His current alliance draws considerable support from backers of the late former President Edgar Lungu. The political landscape in Zambia has been further heightened by a bitter dispute between Mr Lungu's family and President Hichilema over the burial of the former president, whose body remains unburied in South Africa more than a year after his death. This unresolved issue has deepened political divisions within the nation.
President Hichilema, who won the 2021 election on his sixth attempt, is banking on his administration's focus on job creation and an ambitious national infrastructure drive to secure a second and final term. The election has been seen as a de facto referendum on his economic record.
However, the UPND government has also faced criticism from human rights organisations. Amnesty International, for example, has accused the government of restricting rights and freedoms in the run-up to this election. Zambian authorities have yet to comment publicly on these accusations.
Civil society monitors overseeing the electoral process reported generally orderly voting, alongside some incidents of delays and procedural issues at various polling stations. A number of international observers are also present to monitor the integrity of the election.
Voter sentiment captured on polling day reflected a mixture of frustration and hope. Mwiche Nalupumbwe, 26, queuing early in the morning, told the AFP news agency: "Zambians are frustrated and this election is a 50-50, that is why we are all here early to make the change."
James Phiri, a 29-year-old student at the University of Zambia, expressed support for the incumbent. "I voted for HH because he cares about us," he told the Reuters news agency, using a common nickname for President Hichilema. He added, "Things are better after he re-introduced meal allowances."
Conversely, Samuel Chitendwe, a 47-year-old welder and father of four, stated his vote went to Mr Mundubile. "I have just come from firing someone. We are tired of stories about economic progress," he informed Reuters, highlighting economic hardship.
Under Zambian electoral law, if no presidential candidate secures more than 50% of the vote in the first round, a run-off election must be held within 37 days of the initial vote.
Additional reporting by Basillioh Rukanga and Natasha Booty.
