Zambia Election

A woman is seen in a voting booth at a polling station in Lusaka, Zambia, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026.

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Zambia suspends vote counting in election over reports of violence and the theft of ballot papers

Zambia suspends vote counting in election over reports of violence and the theft of ballot papers

Vote counting in Zambia’s presidential election has been suspended by the electoral authority over reports of attacks on polling officials and the “theft” of some ballot papers. The Electoral Commission of Zambia said Friday it was suspending the counting immediately because of the “continued threats of violence.” The commission says it will review the decision in 24 hours. Thursday’s election in the copper-rich southern African country saw President Hakainde Hichilema seeking a second term in office. He is being challenged by 13 other candidates. They include Brian Mundubile, the leader of an alliance of opposition parties who is seen as Hichilema’s strongest challenger.