ECZ lifts suspension, sets 22:00 for first results after security review

ECZ lifts suspension, sets 22:00 for first results after security review The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has lifted, with immediate effect, its suspension of the counting and announcement of results in the 2026 general election, and says the first set of results will…

ECZ lifts suspension, sets 22:00 for first results after security review

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has lifted, with immediate effect, its suspension of the counting and announcement of results in the 2026 general election, and says the first set of results will be announced at 22:00 tonight.

ECZ Chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis told a press briefing on Friday that a review of the security situation, carried out in consultation with law enforcement agencies, found that the threat to the electoral process had been contained and that measures were now in place to allow counting to resume.

The Commission had earlier suspended counting and the announcement of results nationwide after reports of violence directed at polling staff and, in some instances, the theft of marked ballot papers from ballot boxes. That suspension was to be reviewed within 24 hours depending on the security situation.

“Following a review of the security situation and consultations with the relevant law enforcement agencies, I am pleased to inform you and to inform the nation that the security threat to the electoral process has been contained,” Zaloumis said.

She said polling had been successfully conducted at all polling stations across the country, with the last station closing in the early hours of Friday at 02:00.

“We therefore wish to advise all stakeholders that the suspension of the counting and announcement of results has been lifted, with immediate effect,” she said.

Zaloumis appealed to political parties, candidates, their supporters and members of the public to remain peaceful and allow polling staff to work without interference, intimidation or violence. She said the safety of polling staff, the security of electoral materials and the integrity of the process remained paramount, and that law enforcement agencies would continue providing security as counting and the announcement of results proceed.

She reminded the nation that official results are only those announced by the ECZ in accordance with prescribed procedures, and warned candidates against self-declaration.

“It is an offence under Section 89(1) of the Electoral Process Amendment Act No. 32 of 2021 for any person without lawful authority to announce and declare the results of an election,” she said, urging all presidential and other candidates to desist from declaring themselves winners and to allow the Commission to complete its constitutional duty of counting, verifying and announcing results.

Zaloumis thanked Zambians for their patience and cooperation, acknowledged the work of law enforcement in maintaining order, and commended ECZ staff for their commitment to duty. She said the Commission would continue to update the nation as the process progresses, and that stakeholders were invited to join at 22:00 as the first results begin to stream in.

The suspension, and now its lifting, come after opposition leader Brian Mundubile declared himself the winner of the presidential election on Friday, citing his alliance’s parallel vote tabulation, a claim that remains a Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance position rather than an official result. President Hakainde Hichilema had called on Zambians to remain calm as the count continued.