Zambia’s election Commission on Friday suspended the ​counting of votes and announcement of ‌election results nationwide after reports of violence in some districts targeting election officials.

Election ​officials told a briefing there had ​been instances where marked ballot papers ⁠in ballot boxes had been ​stolen, adding it would review the ​suspension within 24 hours.

President Hakainde Hichilema is running for ​a second term after steering the major ‌copper ⁠producer out of a debt crisis since taking office in 2021.

Analysts say he is favoured to win, ​although the ​leading ⁠opposition candidate Brian Mundubile has drawn large crowds in ​some areas.

The full results were ​previously ⁠expected to be announced on Monday. It was unclear whether the suspension ⁠would ​change that.

–Reuters–