Electoral Commission Halts Results Process After Ballot Papers Reportedly Stolen 
Zambia’s electoral commission has suspended the counting of votes and announcement of election results nationwide after reports of violence targeting election officials in several districts.
Officials also reported that marked ballot papers were stolen from ballot boxes, raising fresh concerns about the integrity of the election process.
The suspension will be reviewed within 24 hours, while authorities assess the security situation and investigate the reported incidents.
Zambians voted on Thursday in presidential, parliamentary and local government elections, with President Hakainde Hichilema seeking a second term. The full results had previously been expected on Monday, but it is now unclear whether the suspension will cause a delay.
For voters and their families, the immediate concern is that violence and missing ballots could undermine confidence in the final result.
The electoral commission is expected to provide further updates as security assessments and investigations continue.