ECZ Suspends Counting and Announcement of Results

The Electoral Commission of Zambia — ECZ — has with immediate effect suspended the counting and announcement of election results across the country. The Commission says the decision follows reports of violence during the counting and announcement of results in some districts.…

The Electoral Commission of Zambia — ECZ — has with immediate effect suspended the counting and announcement of election results across the country.

The Commission says the decision follows reports of violence during the counting and announcement of results in some districts.

In a press release issued today, ECZ Chairperson MWANGALA ZALOUMIS said the violence has targeted polling staff and, in some cases, resulted in the theft of marked ballot papers from ballot boxes.

Mrs. ZALOUMIS said the suspension has been necessitated by the prevailing security situation and continued threats of violence.

She said the decision has been made in accordance with Section 67, Subsection 3 of the Electoral Process Act Number 35 of 2016.

The ECZ Chairperson said the Commission will review the suspension within 24 hours.

The suspension means the counting and announcement of results will remain on hold until the Commission makes a further determination.