Are the votes still valid after a suspension?

Yes. A suspension stops counting and the announcement of results. It does not cancel votes already cast, and constituencies declared before the suspension keep their declarations.

Under what law did the ECZ suspend counting?

Section 67(3) of the Electoral Process Act No. 35 of 2016, which allows the Commission to act where the security situation requires it.

Why did the ECZ suspend vote counting in Zambia?

On 14 August 2026 the Electoral Commission of Zambia suspended the counting and announcement of results nationwide, with immediate effect. This page explains why, what a suspension does and does not do, and where the count stands now.

The Commission gave two reasons: violence during counting and announcement in some districts, which targeted polling staff; and, in some cases, the theft of marked ballot papers from ballot boxes. The decision was taken under Section 67(3) of the Electoral Process Act No. 35 of 2016, which allows the Commission to suspend a poll or a count where the security situation requires it. ECZ Chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis said the Commission would review the suspension within 24 hours.

A suspension is not an annulment. Ballots already cast remain valid and sealed; what stops is the counting and the public announcement of results. Constituencies declared before the suspension keep their declarations.

The practical effect on this tracker is that the outstanding-vote arithmetic freezes rather than moves. With 4 of 226 constituencies declared, almost the entire result was still outstanding when counting stopped, which is why the range of possible final outcomes on the front page is so wide.

How the count has moved

Thu 13 Aug, 06:00

Polls close, counting begins
Voting ran 06:00 to 18:00 on 13 August. Counting begins at polling stations and results are transmitted to constituency and then national level.

Source: Electoral Commission of Zambia
Fri 14 Aug, 00:00 (approx.)

ECZ suspends counting and announcement of results nationwide
The Commission cited violence during counting and announcement in some districts, targeting polling staff, and in some cases the theft of marked ballot papers from ballot boxes. The suspension was made under Section 67(3) of the Electoral Process Act No. 35 of 2016, and the Commission said it would review the decision within 24 hours.

Source: ECZ Chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis, reported by ZNBC and others link
time not confirmed

Counting resumes
The suspension was lifted and counting and announcement of results resumed. The exact time has not been confirmed here yet.

Source: Electoral Commission of Zambia

Common questions

Are the votes still valid after a suspension?: Yes. A suspension stops counting and the announcement of results. It does not cancel votes already cast, and constituencies declared before the suspension keep their declarations.
Under what law did the ECZ suspend counting?: Section 67(3) of the Electoral Process Act No. 35 of 2016, which allows the Commission to act where the security situation requires it.
How many constituencies had been declared when counting stopped?: 4 of 226.

Figures update as the ECZ announces, see the live count, or take the open data. Last updated Fri 14 Aug, 23:40.