ECZ lifts suspension on counting and announcement of results. First results to be announced at 22 hrs

ECZ lifts suspension of vote counting and results announcement The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has lifted the suspension of vote counting and the announcement of results for the 13 August 2026 General Election, saying the security threat that prompted the decision has been contained. Lusaka, 14 August – ECZ Chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis said the […]

ECZ lifts suspension of vote counting and results announcement

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has lifted the suspension of vote counting and the announcement of results for the 13 August 2026 General Election, saying the security threat that prompted the decision has been contained.

Lusaka, 14 August – ECZ Chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis said the Commission would resume the announcement of results, with the first batch expected at 22:00 hours on Friday, 14 August.

Ms Zaloumis urged political parties, candidates and members of the public to rely only on results officially released and verified by the Commission.

The decision follows an earlier suspension of the announcement of results after the ECZ reported incidents of violence targeting polling staff, including the theft of marked ballot papers from ballot boxes.

The Commission said the suspension had been made in accordance with Section 67(3) of the Electoral Process Act No. 35 of 2016.

The lifting of the suspension clears the way for the ECZ to begin releasing the first official results from an election that has been closely watched across the country.

The Commission has meanwhile called on all stakeholders to remain calm and allow the electoral process to proceed in accordance with the law.

The first batch of official results is expected to provide the first indication of the emerging electoral picture as the country awaits the final outcome.

-Nkanionline 2026