LAST week, we published an editorial opinion in which we stated that the Electoral Commission of Zambia deserved commendation for the transparent manner in which the printing of ballot papers for the 2026 general election was conducted in Dubai. Political parties, civil society organisations, the Church, security agencies and the media were present to monitor, […]

LAST week, we published an editorial opinion in which we stated that the Electoral Commission of Zambia deserved commendation for the transparent manner in which the printing of ballot papers for the 2026 general election was conducted in Dubai. Political parties, civil society organisations, the Church, security agencies and the media were present to monitor, inspect and verify the process. By all accounts, the printing stage was handled openly, and stakeholders publicly acknowledged that the Commission had done a good job.

That credibility is now slowly being threatened by the repeated changes to the transportation schedule of the ballot papers to Lusaka for onward distribution. The first consignment was initially expected to arrive in Lusaka on Sunday, July 26. That was later changed, with the Commission explaining that a larger aircraft would combine the Sunday and Monday consignments and arrive on Tuesday morning. Before that revised arrangement could materialise, another change was announced, with the Commission merely assuring the public that all ballot papers would arrive sometime during the week. No date attached.

These changes may have a logistical explanation. Aircraft schedule changes, charter arrangements failing, cargo capacity reviewed and operational complications arising. We understand that. But elections are not an ordinary procurement exercise, and ballot papers are not ordinary cargo. The Commission must appreciate the anxiety that surrounds the movement of ballot papers. Once ECZ announces a date and invites stakeholders to witness their arrival, citizens naturally prepare themselves to see that process completed. When the date changes once, questions arise. When it changes again before the first revised schedule is fulfilled, suspicion begins to grow. Changing three times is simply unacceptable.

This anxiety is completely avoidable. There have already been claims and speculation that other ballot papers are being printed elsewhere, including Tanzania. Of course that is false, we have seen no credible evidence supporting those allegations, and they should not be repeated as fact. However, the continued uncertainty over the dispatch of the genuine ballot papers from Dubai is unwittingly feeding that false narrative.

Those who are determined to discredit the electoral process will use every unexplained delay as evidence of wrongdoing. They will ask why ballot papers that were already printed, packed, inspected and reportedly loaded for transportation have not arrived. They will question what happened between the printer, the airport, the charter company and the Commission. ECZ should not hand rumour mongers such easy ammunition.

The Commission says the changes were caused by revisions made by the air operator. That may be true, but the explanation remains insufficient. Which operator is involved? What exactly changed? Was the aircraft unavailable, unsuitable or denied clearance? Were the pallets actually loaded onto an aircraft, as stakeholders had been told, or were they only positioned for loading? Where are the ballots being kept now, and who has custody of them? These are important questions for every stakeholder and voter back home in Zambia.

Most importantly, ECZ must ensure that the reason for the changes is one which the stakeholders who are present in Dubai understand and accept. The Commission cannot rely only on assurances from its officials. Political parties, civil society observers, the Church and the media who witnessed the printing process should be briefed and allowed to confirm independently that the ballots remain secure and that the delay is purely logistical. That collective confirmation would calm the country far more effectively than another general statement.

The printing company and the charter company also have a responsibility to help ECZ ease the growing public concern by sticking to the flight schedules announced to the public. If the delays are due to logistical challenges beyond ECZ’s control, then the printer and the charter company should ensure that the revised schedules are honoured. ECZ is relying on these service providers to deliver the ballot papers, and keeping to the announced flight schedules would go a long way in reducing public anxiety and maintaining confidence in the electoral process.

Back home, citizens are eager to see the ballot papers arrive because the Commission itself announced the earlier dates. The speculations that are beginning to grow are the natural result of an institution creating a public expectation and then repeatedly changing it. ECZ must, going forward, communicate with precision. It should publish the revised flight plan, the number of consignments, the aircraft capacity, the packing lists and the expected arrival times.

We do not wish to undermine the good work already done. In fact, our concern is that the Commission must protect it. The transparent printing process in Dubai was an important confidence-building measure. It would be unfortunate for that achievement to be overshadowed by confusion over transportation. The credibility of an election is built through small but consistent acts of openness. It can also be damaged through avoidable uncertainty, even where no wrongdoing has occurred.

The ballots must arrive under the same transparent conditions under which they were printed. Stakeholders must witness the unloading, verify the seals, confirm the pallet numbers and follow the consignments into secure storage. ECZ has done well so far. But it must understand that transparency does not end at the printing press. It continues through transportation, arrival, storage, distribution and polling day.

Please ECZ, bring the ballot papers home without any further delay.