23 Views LUSAKA — The Electoral Commission of Zambia has printed 3.7 million presidential ballot papers so far, putting it at just under 41 percent of its overall target with polling day approaching. The update was given by the Commission this week as political parties intensify campaigns ahead of the vote. According to the ECZ, […]

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LUSAKA — The Electoral Commission of Zambia has printed 3.7 million presidential ballot papers so far, putting it at just under 41 percent of its overall target with polling day approaching.

The update was given by the Commission this week as political parties intensify campaigns ahead of the vote.

According to the ECZ, the total number of presidential ballot papers planned for printing stands at 9.1 million.

The Commission also clarified that no additional presidential ballot papers are being printed beyond that figure, indicating that the 9.1 million figure will remain the ceiling for this election cycle.

The announcement comes at a time when the country is in the final stretch of election preparations.

Voter education activities have been rolling out across all 10 provinces, with ECZ teams, civil society organizations and the media carrying out door-to-door sensitization, radio programs and community meetings to explain voting procedures, ballot security features and the importance of a peaceful poll.

Campaign season is now in full swing. The ruling party and major opposition parties have been holding rallies in Lusaka, Copperbelt, Southern and Eastern provinces, while smaller parties are focusing on constituency-level engagements.

Key campaign issues being raised on the trail include the cost of living, fuel and mealie-meal prices, youth unemployment, debt management, agriculture input support, and infrastructure development.

Candidate nomination processes have been concluded and the official campaign period is underway in line with the electoral calendar.

In terms of the electorate, the ECZ previously announced that the number of registered voters for the upcoming general election stands at just over 7.2 million. The register was compiled and updated during the voter registration exercise held last year and through subsequent inspection and verification periods. With 7.2 million registered voters and 9.1 million presidential ballots being printed, the Commission has built in a margin to cater to contingencies, spoilt ballots and administrative requirements at polling stations across the country.

The ballot-to-voter ratio has drawn attention from stakeholders who continue to monitor printing, storage and distribution processes to ensure transparency.

Voting dates for the general election have been set in accordance with the Constitution. Zambia holds its presidential, parliamentary and local government elections on the second Thursday of August every five years. For this cycle, polling day is scheduled for Thursday, 13 August 2026.

Voting will open at 06:00 hours and close at 18:00 hours at all polling stations, unless extended by the ECZ due to queues or other logistical factors.

Results for presidential elections are expected to be announced within 48 hours of the close of polls, subject to the completion of verification and tallying at the national results centre.

The ECZ has said printing of other ballots, including those for parliamentary and council elections, is progressing in parallel with the presidential run.

All ballots are being produced under security supervision, with party agents and observers allowed to witness key stages of the process in line with electoral law.

The Commission has also confirmed that the ballots will incorporate security features to guard against counterfeiting.

Stakeholders have called for timely delivery of materials to polling stations, particularly in remote and hard-to-reach areas.

The Commission has indicated that distribution will begin once printing and collation are complete, with the Zambia Police Service and other security agencies expected to provide escort and protection for ballot trucks.

Political parties have been urged to keep campaigns peaceful and to use established dispute-resolution mechanisms should any issues arise.

Civil society groups are also stepping up observation and voter education.

The Zambia Election Information Centre and various church and NGO networks have deployed monitors and are running messaging campaigns on tolerance, women’s participation and the rights of persons with disabilities.

The ECZ has reiterated that it will publish daily updates on ballot printing and logistics in the coming weeks to keep the public informed.

With 3.7 million ballots printed and 5.4 million still to be produced to reach the 9.1 million target, the Commission faces a tight production schedule. Officials say the printing company is working to meet deadlines and that there is no plan to increase the order beyond the stated 9.1 million.

As campaigns continue and the 13 August voting date draws closer, all eyes will be on the ECZ to ensure that materials, staff and polling infrastructure are in place for a credible election.