The Electoral Commission of Zambia has suspended the counting and announcement of election results across the country following reports of violence in some districts. The Commission said it had received reports of violence targeting polling staff during the counting and results announcement process. In some cases, the reported incidents have allegedly resulted in the theft of marked ballot papers contained in ballot boxes. The developments have raised serious concerns about the safety of election officials and the integrity of the electoral process as the country awaits the announcement of results. In response to the security situation and continued threats of violence, the Electoral Commission of Zambia has ordered an immediate suspension of counting and results announcements nationwide.
The decision affects the electoral process at a critical stage because counting and the announcement of results normally follow the completion of voting. The ECZ said the suspension was necessary in light of the reported threats and incidents affecting polling staff in some districts. Election officials play an important role in safeguarding election materials, verifying votes and ensuring that results are processed according to established procedures. Violence at counting centres can place both officials and election materials at risk while also creating uncertainty among candidates and voters. The Commission’s decision therefore places the immediate safety of personnel and protection of election materials at the centre of its response.
The ECZ said the reported violence had specifically targeted polling staff in some areas. The Commission also reported incidents involving the theft of marked ballot papers from ballot boxes, adding another serious dimension to the security concerns surrounding the counting process. Ballot papers and other election materials must remain secure throughout the various stages of the electoral process because they form part of the official record used to establish results. Any interference with election materials can raise concerns about the credibility and integrity of the process. The suspension gives authorities an opportunity to assess the security situation before counting and results announcements resume.
The Commission has invoked Section 67(3) of the Electoral Process Act No. 35 of 2016 as the legal basis for the immediate suspension. By referring to this provision, the ECZ has indicated that the decision falls within the legal framework governing the conduct of elections in Zambia. The suspension applies throughout the country rather than only in the districts where incidents have been reported. This means counting and the announcement of results will pause nationally while the Commission assesses the situation. The move is intended to address the security challenges while maintaining the electoral process within the provisions of the law.
The ECZ has stated that the suspension will be reviewed within 24 hours. This means the decision is not presented as an indefinite halt to the electoral process, but as a temporary measure linked to the current security situation. During the review period, the Commission can assess developments and determine whether conditions are suitable for counting and results announcements to continue. The outcome of that review will be important for election officials, political parties, candidates and voters who are waiting for official results. Until the suspension is lifted, stakeholders are expected to await further communication from the Electoral Commission.
The suspension also places a responsibility on political leaders, candidates, supporters and members of the public to avoid actions that could increase tensions. Election periods can become particularly sensitive when preliminary figures, rumours or unofficial results circulate among communities and on social media. Reports of violence can further increase uncertainty, making accurate communication from authorised electoral institutions especially important. Stakeholders are therefore likely to look to the ECZ for clear updates regarding the security situation and the next steps in the electoral process. Respect for election officials and the lawful handling of election materials will remain essential as the country waits for counting to resume.
The reported theft of marked ballot papers is particularly significant because election materials must be protected from interference throughout the counting process. The ECZ will need to consider the circumstances surrounding the reported incidents as it reviews the suspension and determines how the affected electoral processes should proceed. Maintaining the chain of custody and ensuring that election materials remain properly secured are important elements of public confidence in the results. The Commission’s decision shows the seriousness with which it views threats to polling staff and the security of ballots. Any further developments will need to be assessed through the established electoral and legal procedures.
The ECZ’s nationwide suspension marks a significant development in Zambia’s election process as authorities respond to reports of violence during counting and results announcements. The Commission has made clear that the safety of polling staff and the protection of election materials are central to its decision to pause the process. By invoking Section 67(3) of the Electoral Process Act, the Commission has placed the suspension within the country’s legal framework and indicated that it will review the situation within 24 hours. Political stakeholders and members of the public will now await further communication on when counting and the announcement of results can safely resume. The immediate priority remains restoring secure conditions that allow election officials to complete their duties lawfully and enable the electoral process to proceed with confidence and integrity.