Zambia’s electoral commission resumed tallying ballots on Friday after a nationwide pause sparked by reported attacks on polling staff and the theft of marked ballots.
The suspension came only a day after the country held presidential and parliamentary elections, and the opposition was swift to claim victory. Brian Mundubile, the opposition leader, has already declared himself the winner even as the official count continues.
According to officials, the interruption was necessary to address security concerns, including alleged assaults on election workers and the disappearance of some cast ballots. Friday’s resumption allows the process to move forward amid lingering tensions.
Sishuwa Sishuwa, a senior lecturer at Stellenbosch University and an author, joined FRANCE 24 to recap the events unfolding in Zambia. His perspective underscored the challenges facing the electoral process and the country’s political climate.
As the count resumes, attention now turns to the official results and the stability of Zambia’s democratic process. The situation remains fluid, with rival claims and security concerns hanging over the election.
