(12 Aug 2021) Zambian polling places stayed open after dark on Thursday, as voters at some waited in long lines to cast their ballots while in others officials began counting the results.
Large turnouts were seen in the capital, Lusaka, and other parts of the southern African country in tense elections that the president and his main rival have said are a test of the stability of the nation's democracy.
More than 7 million people, or over 83% of Zambia's eligible voters, have registered to vote in the presidential and legislative elections at more than 12,000 polling stations, according to the Electoral Commission of Zambia.
Verification of votes has started at some polling stations in Lusaka, marking the beginning of the counting process.
Verification and ballot counting takes place at the polling stations where the results are posted on the walls according to Zambia’s political system.
The tallies from each polling station then go to the central results centre, which announces the national count.
The electoral commission earlier this week said although officially voting ends at 6 p.m. (1600GMT), everyone in the line before that time will be allowed to cast their votes.
At one polling station in Lusaka observers were present to witness the voting process.
Chanda Mwenya told The Associated Press, "the process looks very fair" adding, "you are able to see everything."
Analysts say like previous contests between the two men in 2015 and 2016, this vote will be closely fought.
Violence flared between supporters of Lungu’s PF party and Hichilema’s United Party for National Development during a heated campaign period.
Both President Edgar Lungu and his rival Hakainde Hichilema have urged citizens to vote peacefully but it is what happens after the vote that has many people worried.
Results will be announced on Sunday at the latest, the electoral commission said earlier this week.
In total, 16 candidates are vying for the presidency. Zambia will go for a second-round vote if none of the candidates get more than 50% of the votes cast.
More than 800 candidates will battle for the elected 156 seats in the National Assembly.
Mayoral and council seats are also up for election.
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