International election observers have raised concerns over reports of intimidation, violence and alleged abductions during Zambia’s presidential election, after the counting of votes was temporarily suspended amid security threats.
The vote counting was halted for several hours on Friday following reports of violence against polling officials and the alleged theft of ballot papers. The Electoral Commission of Zambia later resumed the process, saying the security threat had been contained.
Observers from the European Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to remain calm and avoid inflammatory statements.
The SADC observer mission said it had received reports of intimidation, assault, abductions and property damage in five provinces, although the allegations could not be independently verified. The mission said some reports involved injuries and at least one death.
EU observers also expressed concern about Zambia’s political environment, citing what they described as limited democratic space, advantages enjoyed by the incumbent and biased state media coverage.
Opposition candidate Brian Mundubile accused authorities of creating an opportunity for interference with the election results following the suspension of counting. President Hakainde Hichilema’s campaign rejected the allegations, accusing the opposition of attempting to disrupt the process.
Mundubile has claimed victory based on his party’s parallel vote count and alleged several irregularities, including missing result forms and interference at some tallying centres.
President Hichilema has not declared victory but said his campaign was receiving encouraging results.
According to the latest official figures released by the Electoral Commission, based on results from 49 of 226 constituencies, Hichilema was leading with 438,708 votes, representing 52.6 percent. Mundubile had 351,281 votes, or 42.1 percent, while Kelvin Bwalya of the Zambia Must Prosper party had 3,965 votes.
The commission stressed that the figures were provisional and not final.
Police and soldiers have reportedly been deployed in parts of Lusaka as the counting continues. It remains unclear whether the suspension will affect the previously expected announcement of the final results.
More than 8.7 million people were registered to vote in Zambia’s election, which is being closely watched as the country prepares to determine its next president.
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