Online Reporter
Gibson Nyikadzino
Zimpapers Politics Hub
THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has invoked Section 67, Subsection 3 of the Electoral Process Act Number 35 of 2016 to immediately suspend the counting and announcement of election results across the country.
The suspension has been triggered by reports of violence during the counting and announcement of results in some districts.
In a statement announcing the suspension, ECZ chairperson Mrs Mwangala Zaloumis said polling staff had been targeted in the violence which also led to the theft of marked ballot papers from ballot boxes.
She said the Commission will review the suspension within 24 hours, which also follows the declaration of victory by opposition presidential candidate Mr Brian Mundubile.
Mr Mundubile, leader of the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP), this morning claimed victory in Zambia’s presidential election, while incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema says his camp continues to receive “encouraging results” as the country awaits the official outcome.
He said results compiled by his party through its Parallel Voter Tabulation (PVT), using information transmitted from polling stations and totalling centres across the country, indicated that he had won the presidential race.
However, President Hichilema on Thursday urged his supporters to remain calm and “await the official outcome from those entrusted with managing the vote”.
Zambians went for general elections yesterday, with the main race between presidential candidates, main challenger Mr Mundubile and the incumbent President Hichilema.
