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France 24
France 24
World
FRANCE 24

Zambia suspends vote count nationwide amid reports of violence, ballot theft

A woman casts her ballot at a polling station in Lusaka on August 13, 2026
A woman casts her ballot at a polling station in Lusaka on August 13, 2026. © Gianluigi Guercia, AFP

Zambia's electoral commission on Friday suspended vote counting from Thursday's presidential and parliamentary elections for at least 24 hours due to “violence targeted at poll staff” and reported instances of theft of marked ballot papers. Former minister Brian Mundubile, the main challenger to President Hakainde Hichilema, claimed a first-round victory and said his camp viewed "the continued delay ... with grave concern".

Zambia suspended vote counting nationwide on Friday following reports of violence in some districts, the electoral commission said.

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