Zambia shuts down social media platforms amid highly contested election

Internet in Zambia has been blocked amidst ongoing general elections.

Internet monitoring organization global observatory Netblocks clarified the reports, stating that the multiple internet providers in Zambia had restricted access to the American social messaging platform.

Some of these networks include Zambian government-owned Zamtel, Airtel Zambia, Liquid Telecom and MTN.

Zambians flocked to vote for a president Thursday in tightly contested polls with Edgar Lungu and his long-time rival Hakainde Hichilema.

The government had threatened to cut off internet access if people peddled “falsehoods that could destabilise” the election.

However, the Zambian government, via its Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary, Amos Malupenga, came out to deny the reports, calling them “malicious.” Nevertheless, he mentioned that the government would not tolerate abuse of the internet and if any mischief occurred, there would be no hesitation to take appropriate measures.

“The government, therefore, expects citizens to use the internet responsibly. But if some people choose to abuse the internet to mislead and misinform, the government will not hesitate to invoke relevant legal provisions to forestall any breakdown of law and order as the country passes through the election period,” Malupenga said.

Official results are expected in two days by Sunday.