Zambian Electoral Commission Resumes Vote Count Following Polling Staff Attacks, Ballot Theft
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) confirmed on Friday that vote counting from the presidential and parliamentary elections has resumed. This follows a temporary suspension in several constituencies across the nation, attributed to instances of violence targeting polling officials and the subsequent theft of ballot papers.
An ECZ spokesperson stated that polling staff had been assaulted and marked ballot papers stolen in unspecified constituencies. The Commission strongly condemned these actions, asserting that the integrity of the electoral process remained paramount and that all legitimate votes would ultimately be tallied.
This disruption occurred during a critical phase of Zambia's general election, which saw citizens casting votes for the presidency, parliament, and local government. The ECZ has not yet provided specific details regarding the number of constituencies affected or the extent of the ballot paper theft, but emphasised its commitment to transparency and the accurate reflection of the popular mandate.
