The Electoral Commission of Zambia on Friday suspended vote-counting the day after presidential and parliamentary elections due to ​reports of ballot paper theft and violence against officials. President Hakainde Hichilema is ‌seeking a second term in the Southern African copper producer and is widely thought to have the edge over opposition leader and first-time presidential candidate Brian Mundubile. It was unclear whether the ​suspension would delay the announcement of results, which were previously due on ​Monday. “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 told a briefing in the capital Lusaka, adding that the commission ​would review the suspension within 24 hours.Earlier, Hichilema had called for patience in a post on social media, while Mundubile claimed he had won, without providing evidence, and called for the results ​to be released immediately.

Full report : Zambia suspends vote count due to violence after presidential poll.