from ARNOLD MULENGA in Lusaka, Zambia
Zambia Bureau
LUSAKA, (CAJ News)– A DELAY in the delivery of ballot papers less than three weeks before Zambia’s high-stakes election has exacerbated fears of vote rigging to keep the current administration in power.
This has added to scepticism that the electoral process will be fully free and fair.
On Sunday, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) announced that the first consignment of ballot papers would arrive on Monday (today) through Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, at a time yet to be confirmed.
The commission had earlier advised that the first consignment would arrive this past Sunday.
ECZ attributed the delay to a revision of the charter flight schedule by the air operator.
Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing Company, a specialised commercial firm based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is responsible for printing, packaging and securing the national voting materials.
ECZ stated that it had been advised by the charter company that the aircraft scheduled to deliver the first consignment on Sunday (yesterday) would not operate as previously communicated because of an operational change to the flight programme.
“Arising from this, the ballot paper verification exercise with stakeholders will now commence on Tuesday, 28 July 2026 at 10:00 hours at the ECZ Silverest Warehouse,” Patricia Luhanga, ECZ Corporate Affairs Manager, said late on Sunday.
She said all other arrangements remained unchanged and that stakeholders, including registered political parties, were expected to witness the receipt and verification of the ballot papers in accordance with the commission’s established procedures to ensure transparency throughout the process.
Before announcing the delay in the delivery of the ballot papers, ECZ stated that work at Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing was proceeding “smoothly” and was nearing completion.
Ndiyoi Mutiti, an ECZ commissioner, said the commission was pleased to report significant progress in both the printing and packaging phases.
She said all 9,1 million presidential ballot papers had been printed.
Mutiti said all 8 399 850 ballot papers for 1 672 wards had been printed by last Friday, while all 8 628 350 ballot papers for 110 districts had been printed for the mayoral and council chairperson elections. For the National Assembly elections, all 8 854 300 ballot papers had been printed for the 217 constituencies.
“The commission remains fully committed to maintaining complete transparency, inclusivity and stakeholder engagement throughout every stage of the electoral process,” Mutiti assured.
Some Zambians, however, are unconvinced and are questioning the delay in the delivery of the ballot papers.
Kalumba Chiboleka said, “Sensitive issues like ballots aren’t something to joke with. It’s unfortunate that the change in the delivery schedule tells the public that something bad is yet to happen.”
Isaac Simumba, alleging vote rigging, accused the ECZ of having “started again.”
“Changing the arrival date of ballot papers signals a strong suspicion of electoral malpractice,” he said.
While Zambia has a state-owned Government Printers and several private commercial printing companies, it does not currently have the capacity to print its own general election ballot papers to the mandatory legal and security specifications.
Available firms are seen as falling short of the required infrastructure, technical and security standards.
Incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema and his United Party for National Development (UPND) are seeking re-election after triumphing in 2021.
Polls are scheduled for 13 August.
