Zambia Votes: Mixed Reports of Delays, Voting Booth Shortages as Nation Goes to the Polls

Zambians are turning out in large numbers today, Thursday 13 August, as polling stations remain open nationwide for the 2026 general election, with reports coming in throughout the morning painting a broadly peaceful picture alongside scattered complaints over delays, space…

Zambians are turning out in large numbers today, Thursday 13 August, as polling stations remain open nationwide for the 2026 general election, with reports coming in throughout the morning painting a broadly peaceful picture alongside scattered complaints over delays, space constraints and voting booth shortages at a number of stations.

Voting is running from 06:00 hours to 18:00 hours. While most stations opened on time, a few reportedly only got underway around 07:00 hours, an hour behind schedule. Some voters are also complaining that certain polling stations lack adequate space to accommodate the crowds turning out to vote.

VOTING BOOTH SHORTAGES SLOWING THE PACE

The most persistent complaint from the field right now concerns voting booths, with several stations reported to have too few to manage queues efficiently, slowing the overall pace of voting in affected areas. The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is being urged by voters and party agents to move quickly to address the shortfall where it is occurring. The scale of the issue nationally is not yet established, and ECZ has not yet responded publicly to the complaints.

In Kitwe, a caller reporting from the Riverside, Valleyview polling station says ballot papers have only just arrived at the station, with some voters left unsure which voting stream they have been assigned to. The matter remains unresolved at the time of writing.

A separate issue is being reported at the State House polling station, where some voters say their names are not appearing on the stream they were directed to. This masthead will update the report as soon as the matter is clarified by officials.

ECZ QUEUE POLICY ADDS NUANCE TO SLOW-PACE CONCERNS

ECZ said on Wednesday that voting will continue at any polling station where a queue remains at 18:00 hours, meaning no voter already in line by closing time will be turned away. The assurance is intended to address concerns that slow-moving queues, some caused by booth shortages, could otherwise leave voters unable to cast their ballots.

The policy, if strictly applied, protects the right to vote for anyone who arrives before polls close. It may not, however, fully resolve suppression concerns being raised today. Voters who grow tired or frustrated waiting in long queues, particularly at stations with booth or space shortages, may choose to leave before reaching the front, effectively disenfranchising themselves despite the assurance. Whether this is happening in practice, and how many voters it may affect, is not yet known.

PROCESS LARGELY PEACEFUL SO FAR

Despite the complaints, the process is being described as largely peaceful, with no reports of violence or serious confrontation at polling stations so far today. In Kasisi, voting started promptly at 06:00 hours, with a caller describing the atmosphere as calm and polling officials as professional and orderly.

In Chongwe district, a caller reporting from the Kuala Police Station polling station describes large numbers of voters turning out steadily through the morning, with queues building but the process running smoothly.

NATIONAL CONTEXT

Today’s election, held on Thursday 13 August, will determine whether President Hakainde Hichilema secures a second five-year term on the strength of his economic recovery programme, or whether the opposition, led by Brian Mundubile, can unseat him. According to the Electoral Commission of Zambia, more than 8.7 million Zambians are registered to vote across 13,529 polling stations, with roughly 89,000 electoral staff deployed nationally. Observer missions from the European Union and the Southern African Development Community are monitoring the process at stations around the country as voting continues.

This is a developing story and will be updated throughout the day. Specific figures on affected polling stations, official ECZ comment and further verification of field reports will be added as they come in.