Vote counting in Zambia's presidential election resumed on Friday after being temporarily suspended following attacks on election officials and reports that marked ballot papers had been stolen, prompting heightened security measures and the deployment of soldiers in parts of the capital.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) said several polling officials had been attacked and marked ballot papers taken from polling stations. The commission did not identify those responsible for the incidents.

Following the suspension of vote counting, riot police backed by armored military vehicles were deployed to key locations in Lusaka, including the country's main vote-counting center. Authorities did not initially report any large-scale unrest in the capital.

ECZ Chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis later announced that counting would resume after a security assessment concluded that the immediate threat to the electoral process had been contained. She said the violence had been limited to a small number of polling centers in Lusaka and urged the public to remain calm while the counting continued.

Opposition raises concerns over electoral process

Opposition leader Brian Mundubile, widely regarded as President Hakainde Hichilema's main challenger, questioned the integrity of the electoral process, saying his alliance had received what he described as deeply troubling reports from across the country.

Mundubile later claimed on social media that he had been questioned by the military. He also alleged that soldiers had taken control of some vote-counting centers and that ballot boxes had been removed in certain areas. He did not provide evidence to support those claims, and the allegations have not been independently verified.

President Hichilema appealed to voters to remain peaceful, patient and patriotic while awaiting the official election results.

Election seen as key test for Hichilema

The election is viewed as a major political test for Hichilema, who came to power in 2021 after defeating former President Edgar Lungu.

His administration has overseen Zambia's debt restructuring following the country's 2020 sovereign default and has introduced measures aimed at reducing inflation and stabilizing the national currency.

Despite improvements in macroeconomic indicators, many Zambians continue to face high living costs, widespread poverty and persistent electricity shortages. Opposition parties and several human rights organizations have also accused Hichilema's government of increasing pressure on political opponents and restricting dissent, allegations the government has denied.

More than 8 million registered voters

Around 8 million registered voters were eligible to cast ballots at more than 13,500 polling stations nationwide.

In addition to electing a president, Zambians voted for members of parliament and local government representatives. The Electoral Commission expects final results to be announced by Monday.

Mundubile warned that the temporary suspension of vote counting could create opportunities for interference or manipulation of the results and called for a transparent verification of all ballots.

A country known for peaceful transfers of power

The developments have drawn attention because Zambia has largely maintained a reputation for peaceful elections and orderly transfers of power since returning to multiparty democracy in 1991 after nearly two decades of one-party rule.

The country gained independence from Britain in 1964 and has often been regarded as one of southern Africa's more stable democracies.

Hichilema himself spent nearly four months in prison in 2017 after being charged with treason during the administration of then-President Edgar Lungu, a case that attracted international criticism before the charges were dropped. He went on to defeat Lungu in the 2021 presidential election.

Mundubile, who previously served under Lungu's administration, became leader of the opposition alliance following Lungu's death last year and is seeking to unseat Hichilema in a presidential race contested by 14 candidates.(ILKHA)