The Electoral Commission of Zambia suspended counting of presidential ballots Friday after reports of attacks on polling officials and the theft of some ballot papers. The pause, taken "in view of the security situation and continued threats of violence," will be reviewed within 24 hours. Incumbent Hakainde Hichilema sought a second term and faced 13 opponents, including opposition coalition leader Brian Mundubile. Allegations of a pre-election raid on opposition offices have heightened tensions ahead of the commission's review.
Zambia Suspends Presidential Vote Count After Reports Of Attacks And Ballot Theft
Election workers count ballots at a polling station in Lusaka, South Africa, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Alfonso Nqunjana)(AP Photo/Alfonso Nqunjana)
LUSAKA, Zambia — The Electoral Commission of Zambia on Friday suspended counting of votes in the presidential election after reports that polling officials were attacked and that some ballot papers were stolen. The commission said the suspension was immediate "in view of the security situation and continued threats of violence," citing concerns for the safety of election staff and the integrity of the ballots.
Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema shares a light moment with journalists after casting his vote at a polling station in Lusaka, Zambia, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Anita Reed)(AP Photo/Anita Reed)
The commission said it would review the decision within 24 hours as officials monitor conditions at polling stations and assess reported incidents.
A woman is seen in a voting booth at a polling station in Lusaka, Zambia, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Anita Reed)(AP Photo/Anita Reed)
Thursday's vote in the copper-rich southern African country featured incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema seeking a second term. He faced 13 challengers, among them Brian Mundubile, the leader of an opposition alliance who is widely regarded as Hichilema's main rival.
Ballot papers are seen at a polling station during a presidential election in Lusaka, Zambia, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Anita Reed)(AP Photo/Anita Reed)
Zambia has a recent history of largely peaceful elections, but the run-up to this vote was marked by criticism from opposition figures and independent rights groups who accused the government of tightening restrictions on dissent. Mundubile's alliance alleged that a law enforcement raid on its offices days before the election was intended to disrupt its campaign.
What Happens Next
The Electoral Commission has said it will reassess the situation within 24 hours. Observers and political leaders will be watching whether counting resumes, whether there are formal investigations into the reported attacks and thefts, and how security measures are adjusted to protect election staff and preserve the credibility of the vote.
Context: The pause in counting raises tensions in a country where electoral legitimacy and the protection of democratic processes remain priorities for both domestic actors and international observers.
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