Presidential vote counting halted in Zambia over alleged attacks on polling staff

Image source, ReutersImage caption, Counting began on Thursday evening as soon as polls had closed.

Zambia's electoral commission has suspended the counting of votes from Thursday's presidential, parliamentary and local elections over alleged attacks on polling staff.

A autoridade disse que o processo seria interrompido em todo o país com efeito imediato, expressando preocupação sobre relatos de violência que haviam "resultado no roubo de cédulas de votação marcadas em urnas.

President Hakainde Hichilema is seeking a second five-year term. Brian Mundubile is the main opposition candidate among 13 challengers.

The electoral commission had previously set itself the target of announcing the results by the end of Sunday.

Counting got under way immediately after polls closed on Thursday but no official results had been declared when the halt in the count came into effect.

Em declaração de sexta-feira, a comissão disse que iria revisar a decisão de suspender a contagem de votos nas próximas 24 horas.

Just hours before the commission's statement, Mundubile expressed "grave concern" over delays in the announcement of presidential results, warning that the delay could create opportunities for interference or manipulation.

He cited what he described as "deeply troubling reports" from several areas, including alleged military involvement at totalling centres and allegations concerning the movement of ballot boxes.

Ele pediu a publicação imediata dos resultados por seção eleitoral, proteção da cadeia de custódia e investigações sobre os incidentes relatados.

Hichilema also issued a statement urging Zambians to "remain peaceful, patient and patriotic as we await the official outcome from those entrusted with managing the vote.

Image source, AFP via Getty ImagesImage caption, Queues were seen at polling stations during a chilly Thursday morning in the capital, Lusaka.

Polling day was largely peaceful, with queues reported in many areas and only isolated delays. Along with electing a president and MPs, the more than eight million registered voters had the chance to choose a new parliament and local councils.

A votação de quinta-feira foi vista como um teste da reputação da Zâmbia como uma das democracias mais estáveis da África, diante de preocupações de que as liberdades políticas estão sendo minadas.

Despite 14 candidates being on the presidential ballot paper, the contest was largely seen as a two-horse race between the incumbent and his main challenger Mundubile - running on the banner of the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP).

Hichilema is credited with steering Zambia through a difficult economic climate but his popularity was dented as many people said their circumstances have not improved.

Mundubile hoped to capitalise on that dissatisfaction.

Mundubile é um ex-ministro no governo do Patriotic Front (PF) que governou de 2011 a 2021, com sua aliança recebendo apoio de apoiadores do falecido ex-presidente, Edgar Lungu.

Image source, EPAImage caption, Officials marked voters' thumbnails with indelible ink to make sure they do not try to vote again.

Lungu died more than a year ago and his body remains unburied in South Africa, amid a bitter dispute between Lungu's family and Hichilema, which has heightened political divisions in Zambia.

Hichilema, 64, won the 2021 election on his sixth attempt and is betting on job creation and an ambitious infrastructure drive to secure a second and final term.

A eleição foi vista como um referendo sobre seu recorde econômico, que incluiu reestruturação de dívida, fortalecimento da moeda e inflação reduzida.

But his United Party for National Development (UPND) government has also been criticised by Amnesty International for restricting rights and freedoms, external in the run-up to this election, an accusation that Zambian authorities have yet to comment on.

Image source, AFP via Getty ImagesImage caption, A host of election officials were overseeing the process.

Civil society monitors reported mostly orderly voting alongside some incidents of delays and procedural issues. International observers are present.

Mwiche Nalupumbwe, 26, estava entre centenas de pessoas que enfrentaram o frio da manhã de quinta-feira para fazer fila nas seções de votação bem antes de abrirem.

Zambians are frustrated and this election is a 50-50, that is why we are all here early to make the change," he told the AFP news agency.

I voted for HH because he cares about us," James Phiri, a 29-year-old student at the University of Zambia, told the Reuters news agency, using a common nickname for the president.

Things are better after he re-introduced meal allowances," he said.

Fonte da imagem, AFP via Getty ImagesSamuel Chitendwe, um soldador de 47 anos e pai de quatro filhos, disse que votou em Mundubile.

I have just come from firing someone. We are tired of stories about economic progress," he told Reuters.

If no presidential candidate gets more than 50% of the vote a run-off must be held within 37 days.

Additional reporting by Natasha Booty.

Correção 14 de agosto de 2026: Esta reportagem foi alterada para dizer que o prazo de domingo para anunciar o resultado foi estabelecido pela comissão eleitoral e não pela lei.

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