A woman casts her ballot at a polling station in Lusaka on August 13, 2026. [AFP]
Zambia suspended vote counting nationwide on Friday following reports of violence in some districts, the electoral commission said.
The copper-rich southern African nation went to the polls on Thursday in an election focused on economic hardship.
President Hakainde Hichilema, who has been in power since 2021, faced off against his main challenger among the 14 contenders -- Brian Mundubile, a 55-year-old former minister in the previous Patriotic Front (PF) government.
"The violence is targeted at poll staff, and in some instances has resulted in the theft of marked ballot papers in ballot boxes," chief electoral officer Brown Kasaro said. The commission would review the suspension within 24 hours, he added.
Mundubile claimed a first-round victory on Friday.
"We have won this election both at presidential level and majority seats in parliament," said Mundubile.
"We therefore view the continued delay in the transparent announcement and verification of presidential results with grave concern," he added.