Lusaka: Vote counting in Zambia's presidential election was suspended by the electoral authority on Friday over reports of attacks on polling officials and the “theft” of some ballot papers.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia said it was suspending the counting immediately “in view of the security situation and continued threats of violence.”
The commission said it would review the decision in 24 hours.
The election on Thursday in the copper-rich southern African country saw President Hakainde Hichilema seeking a second term in office.
He is being challenged by 13 other candidates, including Brian Mundubile, the leader of an alliance of opposition parties, who is seen as Hichilema's strongest challenger.
Zambia has held largely peaceful elections. However, ahead of the election, the opposition and independent rights groups criticised Hichilema and accused his government of clamping down on dissent.
Mundubile's alliance accused the government of the raid on its offices days before the election, claiming the action was designed to hurt the alliance's election campaign.