Zambians vote in tight presidential election, internet restricted

ZAMBIANS kept voting at jammed polling stations after polls closed on Thursday, pointing to a high turnout in a showdown between President Edgar Lungu and main opposition rival Hakainde Hichilema that looks too tight to call.

Polls officially closed at 6 p.m. (1600 GMT) but voters were still casting ballots at many stations visited by Reuters in Lusaka as darkness fell. The law allows those in the queue to vote after the official close of polls.

But as millions cast their ballots, social media platforms were restricted in the country, internet blockage observatory NetBlocks said.

“Real-time network data confirm that social media and messaging platforms including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Messenger are now restricted in #Zambia on election day in addition to the earlier WhatsApp restriction,” NetBlocks said in a tweet.

Zambia Information and Communication Technology acting director-general Mulenga Chisanga did not answer calls for comment.

The restriction of internet