Final Results Still on Track Within 72 Hours -ECZ

By Masauso Mkwayaya

The Electoral Commission of Zambia-ECZ- says the temporary suspension of the counting and announcement of election results yesterday will not affect its target to release the final results within 72-hours, by Monday 17th August 2026.

ECZ Chief Electoral Officer BROWN KASARO says the Commission remains on course to release the final results within the set 72-hour time frame.

Mr. KASARO says the time lost during the temporary suspension has been accounted for within the 72-hour target.

During a question-and-answer session after giving an update on the 2026 General Election at the National Election Results Centre in Lusaka, Mr. KASARO said the next update on the Presidential results will be given at 13-hours today.

He says the second update will be given at 20-hours.

So far, the Commission has announced results from four constituencies, namely FIERA, CHISAMBA, DONGWE and KUNDABWIKA.

The top two Presidential candidates from the four constituencies announced so far are President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA of the United Party for National Development-UPND- and National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity-NRPUP candidate BRIAN MUNDUBILE.

President HICHILEMA has polled 22,476 votes from the four constituencies announced so far, while Mr. MUNDUBILE has polled 14,388 votes.

And Mr. KASARO says the deployment of military personnel at the National Election Results Centre and other areas is not happening for the first time during an election.

He says the presence of the officers is strictly intended to ensure that the electoral process takes place in a secure environment and without disruptions.

Mr. KASARO has also reiterated the Commission's call on candidates to desist from announcing unofficial election results.

He says only the Electoral Commission of Zambia-ECZ- is mandated by law to announce election results.