All is set for the production of ballot papers for the 2021 August general election by the Dubai-based Al Ghurair Printing and publishing Company, the firm engaged by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) for the works.
A team of officials led by ECZ Vice Chairperson, Emily Sikazwe was briefed yesterday by the company whose capacity can manage to print 10 million ballot papers per day, that Al Ghurair is set for the task.
Company General Manager, Lakshmanan Ganapathy disclosed that the printing will first commence with local government ballot papers after they are verified in Zambia by another team, to be followed by the parliamentary and finally Presidential ballot paper.
Mr. Ganapathy told the Dr Sikazwe -led team that his company is happy that the ECZ has accorded it another opportunity to print this year’s general election ballot papers, the first one being for the 2016 elections.
He disclosed that the company has since expanded its printing machines to 14 from the 11 ones it previously had, adding that the company desires to deliver quality works.
The General Manager expressed optimism that the company will finish printing the ballot papers, package and airlift them to Zambia in record time by the end of July before polls are held.
And ECZ Vice Chairperson, Emily Sikazwe reiterated that the commission is up to the task to deliver credible elections this year.
She said the presence of her delegation in the United Arab Emirates is to ensure it sees the printing process from start to finish in readiness for this year’s general election.
Dr Sikazwe said she was optimistic that ECZ will not relent in its duty of ensuring that expectations of Zambians are met.
She implored the Zambian team comprising of representatives from civil society organisations, security, home affairs, anti-corruption commission, the media and political parties to apply themselves and work beyond normal working hours so that the process of production of the election materials is successfully completed.
The Vice Chairperson said commission has also set up another team of 16 political parties who are verifying details of candidates and proofreading the ballot papers in Zambia before they are sent to the company for printing.
And as for the political parties wishing to travel and monitor the production of materials in Dubai, Dr Sikazwe indicated that three political parties and an independent candidate confirmed that they would sponsor representatives.
These are the ruling Patriotic Front represented by former Defense Minister, Davies Chama who is already in Dubai whilst the opposition United party for National Development -UPND- and People’s Alliance for Change -PAC- representatives are yet to arrive.
The other representative is being sponsored by Lumezi Aspiring independent candidate, Munir Zulu.
AHH CAN ONE ASSUME THEY BEING PRINTED BY THE GUPTA BROTHERS ???
I am getting very excited. Oh how I love a good election. A bit of healthy competition is good for democracy. We are getting closer to the main day and for me the nights become shorter as I work long hours trying to ensure yet another victory.
I wish all zambians a blessed week. Those in diaspora who lost their zambian citizenship I also wish you a relatively nice week
I am getting very excited. Oh how I love a good election. A bit of healthy competiti0n is good for dem0cracy. We are getting closer to the main day and for me the nights become shorter as I work long hours trying to ensure yet another victory.
I wish all zambians a blessed week. Those in diaspora who lost their zambian cltizenshlp I also wish you a relatively nice week
‘ A country of matriculated road sweepers has got nothing to be proud of’ .,,,,,Kenneth David Kaunda
You should try your best not to take anything trolls say seriously. No matter how poorly they behave, remember these people spend countless unproductive hours trying to make people mad. They’re not worth your time of the day.
Valuable resources being sent out for things Zambians can do, but thanks to the defiant opposition political parties that have no faith in the Zambia they want to lead.
The convict can’t win with free and fair elections. Once more rigging will take place.
More years of hardship and corruption.
How come PF SG is in Dubai with ECZ while the other parties have not yet arrived? It is such things that create controversies. Why did ECZ charter a plane with all parties to Dubai and have the meeting. Awe pa zed bwafya.
DONT BE S.T.U.P.1.P ZAMBIA IS VERY CAPABLE OF PRINTING BALLOT PAPERS but >>>>
FIRSTLY BUT THERE WILL NO $$$ KICK BACKS
SECONDLY PF HAS BROUGHT CORRUPTION TO EVERY SECTOR OF SOCIETY THAT THERE IS NO TRUST ANYMORE
Please don’t manipulate the ballot papers , we are a Christian nation who want free n fair elections.Ballot papers can printed locally, why throw around money like that kanshi imwe?
Death to Lungu
ABOVE IS A BIT HARSH ???
I WOULD SAY IF HE HAS DONE SOMETHING WRONG
LET HIM GO THE JACOB ZUMA WAY
A GOOD EXAMPLE SOUTH AFRICA HAS SET
HOPEFULLY IT WILL SPREAD THROUGH AFRICA