International observer missions, including delegations from the European Union and the Southern African Development Community, expressed concerns regarding Zambia’s presidential election held on Thursday. Vote counting was temporarily halted on Friday after reports emerged of violence directed at polling staff and missing ballot papers. The Electoral Commission stated that the suspension was lifted once security threats had been contained, though observers noted they were unable to monitor the counting process during the interruption.
President Hakainde Hichilema, 64, is campaigning for a second term with the ruling United Party for National Development. His primary opponent is Brian Mundubile, 55, a former government minister representing the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity. Mundubile contended that the counting suspension created space for potential result manipulation, while Hichilema’s campaign dismissed such claims as panic from the opposition.
Observer missions documented reports of intimidation, assault, abduction, and property damage across multiple provinces, though they could not independently confirm all allegations. Samuel Tembenu, heading the SADC observer mission, stated that the suspension had generated uncertainty among stakeholders. Michael McNamara from the European Union’s observer team noted that voting occurred within a context of limited democratic space, with advantages favoring the incumbent. Reinhold Lopatka from the European Parliament’s observer delegation characterized the suspension as disproportionate, given that only a small number of the country’s more than 13,000 polling stations had reportedly experienced issues.
A 57-year-old polling agent was killed on election day, with police announcing nine arrests. Zambian authorities maintained that voting proceeded peacefully otherwise. Partial official results released late Saturday showed Hichilema leading with 52.6 percent of votes counted from 49 of 226 constituencies, followed by Mundubile at 42.1 percent. The Electoral Commission indicated final results had not yet been determined and announced it would provide further updates on timing.
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