Zambia's incumbent president has described Thursday's elections as "not free and fair".
Early results show President Edgar Lungu trailing his main opponent, businessman Hakainde "HH" Hichilema.
The president said election officials from his party Patriotic Front had been chased from polling stations, leaving votes unprotected.
In response, Mr. Hichilema said the statement was the "desperate final act of an outgoing administration".
Mr. Lungu, who is seeking a second term, also said that violence in provinces where he lost votes had rendered "the whole exercise a nullity".
The party, he added, was considering its next course of action.
Zambia's electoral commission is yet to respond.
Violence had broken out in Southern province, North-Western province, and Western Province, the president's statement said.
Mr. Lungu referenced the killing of a Patriotic Front chairman in North Western province and of another young party activist in clashes earlier this month. When the deaths occurred, the president brought in army reinforcements.
European Union election observers said in a preliminary report that the vote was "marred by unequal campaign restrictions, restrictions on freedoms of assembly and movement, and abuse of incumbency".
Social media and internet access was also shut down on Thursday. On Friday the High Court in Lusaka ruled that access to the internet should be fully restored.
The results of the election were initially expected on Friday.
However, the announcement was halted after some party election officials criticised the commission for trying to declare results that hadn't yet been verified.
A candidate can dispute an election by filing a petition in the country's Constitutional Court. This stops the winning candidate from exercising executive powers until the petition is heard in court.
Latest Stories
-
Gbande calls for EC preparation discussion after Ejisu by-election
5 mins -
Stephen Ntim vows to reconcile NPP and Aduomi
13 mins -
2024 Olympic Games: French Embassy conduct pre-departure trainer for Ghanaian volunteers
19 mins -
Newly elected Ejisu MP pledges to reward constituents with development
25 mins -
Military officer shot dead over land dispute at Kasoa
2 hours -
ShoreCare: KNUST students organise clean-up exercise at Allan and African beaches
7 hours -
Ejisu by-election was an election of inducement – Hopeson Adorye
7 hours -
Air Quality: World Bank unveils $1 billion guarantee to bolster clean air projects globally
7 hours -
Dumsor Diaries: The struggle of tailors and seamstresses to make ends meet
7 hours -
Chiefs standing to greet the president at public events is apt – Chieftaincy Minister
7 hours -
60 farmers in Kumasi receive training on traditional leafy vegetables
7 hours -
MP who allegedly bribed EC agents must be arrested – Mustapha Gbande
8 hours -
NPP’s Kwabena Boateng leading in Ejisu by-election
9 hours -
Dominic Obour: Beware of rented media and socio-political liars
9 hours -
Partnership launched to provide pensions for small-scale farmers
10 hours