The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has suspended the nationwide counting and announcement of results from Thursday’s presidential, parliamentary and local government elections following reports of violence targeting election officials and the theft of marked ballot papers from ballot boxes. The commission said the suspension took effect immediately as authorities assess the security situation.

In a statement issued on Friday, the ECZ said the decision was prompted by escalating security concerns reported in several districts during the vote-counting process. According to the commission, election officials were attacked in some areas, while marked ballot papers were reportedly stolen, raising concerns about the safety of polling staff and the integrity of the electoral process.

Addressing a press briefing in Lusaka, Chief Electoral Officer Brown Kasaro said the commission had taken the decision to safeguard both election personnel and the credibility of the electoral process.

“In view of the security situation and continued threats of violence, the Commission has with immediate effect suspended the counting and announcement of results throughout the country,” Kasaro said.

He added that “the violence is targeted at poll staff, and in some instances has resulted in the theft of marked ballot papers in ballot boxes.”

The ECZ said it will review the security situation within 24 hours before determining whether vote counting and the announcement of results can resume. It did not specify how many constituencies or polling centres had been affected by the reported incidents.

The suspension came a day after Zambians voted in a closely watched general election to elect a president, members of parliament and local government representatives. The poll attracted about 8 million registered voters across more than 13,500 polling stations in the southern African nation of approximately 22 million people.

The election is widely seen as a key test for President Hakainde Hichilema, who is seeking a second five-year term after leading Zambia through a sovereign debt restructuring and broader economic reforms since taking office in 2021. While the country’s macroeconomic indicators have improved, high living costs and electricity shortages have remained major concerns for many voters.

Shortly before the suspension was announced, President Hichilema urged citizens to remain calm and allow the electoral process to continue.

“Let us remain peaceful, patient and patriotic as we await the official outcome from those entrusted with managing the vote,” he said in a social media post.

Meanwhile, opposition candidate Brian Mundubile, leader of the Tonse Alliance and Hichilema’s main challenger, said his coalition’s internal tabulation indicated it had won the election. He called for the prompt release of official results and expressed concern over the delay. Mundubile also alleged that military personnel had taken control of some vote-counting centres and that ballot boxes had been removed from others. However, he did not provide evidence for those claims, and the Electoral Commission has not confirmed them.

Although some constituency-level preliminary counts had already been released before the suspension, the Electoral Commission has not announced any official national results. It also remains unclear whether the temporary halt will affect the commission’s initial timeline of announcing final results by Monday.

The developments have drawn regional and international attention because Zambia has generally been regarded as one of Southern Africa’s most stable democracies, holding regular multiparty elections that are largely peaceful. However, the 2026 campaign period was marked by heightened political tensions, with civil society organisations and opposition parties raising concerns over alleged restrictions on opposition activities, claims the government has consistently denied.

For now, the Electoral Commission says its priority is to restore a secure environment for election officials before the counting process resumes. Until the security review is completed, the declaration of Zambia’s official election results remains on hold.