Observers in Dubai declare ballot printing process transparent and credible

Political stakeholders and observers monitoring the printing of ballot papers for the August 13 general election in Dubai have described the process as transparent, inclusive and credible, with representatives from nearly a dozen political parties, civil society organisations and…

Political stakeholders and observers monitoring the printing of ballot papers for the August 13 general election in Dubai have described the process as transparent, inclusive and credible, with representatives from nearly a dozen political parties, civil society organisations and the media taking part in the oversight exercise. The Electoral Commission of Zambia has praised the stakeholders for placing national interest above political differences while reaffirming its commitment to a transparent electoral process.

Government engaged Dubai-based Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing to print ballot papers for distribution to Zambia’s 13,529 polling stations, serving a national register of 8.7 million voters. Production began on June 30 and is expected to be completed within the coming week, ahead of packaging and dispatch scheduled for the end of the month.

Political parties represented at the exercise included the governing United Party for National Development, Citizens First, Leadership Movement, National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity, Zambia Wake Up Party, Democratic Union, Organised People’s Party and Zambia Resolute Party, while independent presidential candidate Given Katuta also sent an observer. AGPP has been conducting tours of the printing plant for the delegation, explaining each stage of production and fielding questions from stakeholders throughout the process.

UPND chairperson for health Bob Sakahilu said the party was impressed with the credibility of the exercise, describing stakeholder involvement in verifying ballot papers and witnessing the printing as evidence that the Commission was handling the process correctly. “The process is very credible and consultative. It is inclusive and transparent. Zambians must be assured that ECZ is doing the right thing,” he said.

Professor Nkandu Luo, representing the Zambia Resolute Party under the Tonse Pamozi Alliance, said she was satisfied with how ECZ and AGPP had addressed concerns raised by stakeholders during the visit, offering a similarly measured assessment. National Reconciliation Party representative George Chisanga welcomed assurances from ECZ that stakeholder oversight would continue beyond the printing stage, while Wiseman Chauluka, representing Katuta, said the environment created for engagement throughout the process had been suitable.

Organisations including the Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes and the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities also commended ECZ and AGPP for allowing political parties and other observers to participate in monitoring the production of election materials, describing the approach as a positive step for inclusiveness in the electoral process.

ECZ commissioner Zevyanji Sinkala thanked stakeholders for demonstrating unity and prioritising national interest over partisan considerations, and confirmed that printing was progressing well, with AGPP committed to meeting its end-of-month deadline. She disclosed that 9.1 million presidential ballot papers and more than 13,000 braille jackets had already been printed, alongside ballot papers for 84 of the country’s 226 constituencies. Mayoral ballot papers for 77 of 116 districts had also been completed, while packing of ballots for 15 constituencies had already begun.

Separately, ECZ has engaged the Zambia Library Cultural and Skills Centre for the Visually Impaired to transcribe and print 6,250 braille voter education materials ahead of the election. ZLCSCVI executive director Fredrick Lungu, speaking at a media briefing, said the transcription exercise would be completed within six days, describing it as a major step toward a more inclusive electoral process for voters living with visual impairment. He urged government institutions more broadly to begin producing key public documents in braille as a matter of course, while praising the timely release of grants that had allowed the centre to undertake the current exercise.

The Dubai visit forms part of a broader push to strengthen public confidence in Zambia’s electoral system, as concerns over vote manipulation and ballot integrity have featured prominently elsewhere in the campaign, with rival political figures separately raising allegations regarding pre-marked ballot papers in earlier by-elections. Stakeholders present in Dubai said the direct, on-the-ground verification offered by the printing plant tours provided a level of assurance that public statements alone could not replicate.