Peaceful Vote Draws Praise as Early Counting Encourages Hichilema

The conduct of Zambia's election has drawn near-universal praise, with polling passing off peacefully and efficiently across the country. Observers, monitors and rivals alike remarked on the calm and orderly mood at stations nationwide, while older voters and those living with disabilities were helped to cast their ballots, and any hitches were dealt with swiftly. By broad agreement, it was a day that reflected well on the nation.

As the count continues, the picture taking shape in these opening hours is one the ruling UPND will welcome. Nothing is settled, and officials are cautioning against reading too much into partial figures, but the direction of the early returns favours President Hakainde Hichilema.

His strongest footing, predictably is that voters in Southern, Western and North-Western Provinces came out in good numbers, with rural districts, the bedrock of his 2021 victory, once again turning out solidly for him.

More interesting are the areas beyond that comfort zone. Central Province appears to be leaning his way, and there are early murmurs of progress in Northern Province, a region the UPND has long sought to prise open. Lusaka, meanwhile, is proving harder to call.

Turnout nationally looks likely to land around its usual mark, cooler than the extraordinary 2021 surge but respectable all the same.

For all the early enthusiasm, the count belongs to the Electoral Commission of Zambia, and it alone. The Commission has promised an open and credible process, and no party should be declaring anything before it does.