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Zambian security agencies have arrested several people accused of plotting to disrupt the country’s electoral system ahead of Thursday’s general election, the Interior Ministry said on Wednesday.
The ministry did not disclose the number of arrests but said those detained included three former senior government officials suspected of providing technical support to undermine the electoral system.
A 56-year-old Kenyan national was also arrested in connection with the investigation.
Three other suspects, including a former provincial minister, were found with more than 7.3 million kwacha ($388,000) and were summoned to assist investigators.
Interior Ministry Permanent Secretary Dickson Matembo said investigators also found sensitive military intelligence on some of the electronic devices seized from the three suspects.
“Investigations have also identified sensitive military intelligence information on some of the electronic devices seized from the trio,” Matembo said.
A journalist and a former ambassador who had been detained as part of the investigation were subsequently released, Matembo said.
Zambians will vote on Thursday to elect the president, members of parliament and municipal councillors.
President Hakainde Hichilema is seeking a second term in the copper-rich southern African country, which has a long record of peaceful transfers of power through elections.
