Opposition political parties in Zambia have strongly condemned the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) following its decision to suspend the counting of votes and the announcement of national election results.

ECZ Chief Electoral Officer Brown Kasaro announced the temporary halt, citing sporadic incidents of violence targeted at electoral officials and the reported theft of marked ballot papers from several voting stations. Kasaro indicated that the commission would review the suspension within 24 hours.

The decision has drawn criticism from opposition coalition leaders. Speaking on the decision, Celestin Mukandila, Secretary General of the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance, described the suspension as a deliberate attempt to obstruct the electoral outcome.

Mukandila argued that vote tallies across the country were already finalised at polling stations according to their Parallel Vote Tabulation data, claiming opposition candidate Brian Mundubile had secured victory over incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema.

While the ECZ maintains that the pause is necessary to protect the integrity of the process and ensure officer safety, opposition factions insist that vote counting had already concluded nationwide before the suspension order was issued.

–ChannelAfrica–