Zambia's electoral commission has suspended the nationwide counting of votes from Thursday's presidential and parliamentary elections, citing attacks on polling staff and the theft of ballot papers.

The decision by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) halts the collation and publication of results for at least 24 hours, with officials expected to reassess the situation on Saturday.

Reports from multiple outlets, including the BBC and France 24, indicated that the violence specifically targeted election officials at various polling stations across the country.

Ballots Reportedly Stolen Amid Unrest

The ECZ confirmed that the unrest had "resulted in the theft of marked ballot papers," though specific details on the scale or locations of these incidents were not immediately available.

The incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema was seeking re-election against his main challenger, former minister Brian Mundubile.

Former minister Brian Mundubile, the main challenger to President Hakainde Hichilema, claimed a first-round victory and said his camp viewed "the continued delay ... with grave concern".

Mr Mundubile's camp had already claimed a first-round victory, expressing "grave concern" over the ongoing delay in results, according to France 24.

Commission to Reassess Suspension

The electoral body stated it would use the 24-hour suspension period to evaluate the security situation and determine the next steps for resuming the vote tabulation process.

This election marks a significant moment for the southern African nation, which has a history of closely contested polls. The suspension has cast uncertainty over the immediate political landscape.