NRPUP accuses ECZ of secrecy over arrival and storage of ballot papers
The National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) has accused the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) of failing to provide opposition political parties with adequate information on the transportation, arrival, storage and security of ballot papers being shipped from Dubai ahead of the 13 August elections.
Lusaka, 27 July – NRPUP Chief Presidential Advisor and Tonse Alliance Secretary General Dr Chris Zumani Zimba said the party was concerned about what it described as a lack of transparency surrounding the handling of the ballot papers.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Dr Zimba said the first consignment of ballot papers for the 2026 elections was expected to arrive at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka
He said the party had identified seven areas in which it believed the ECZ had not provided sufficient information to political stakeholders, including stakeholder engagement, flight schedules, transportation arrangements, storage facilities and security measures.
“As National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP), we are deeply shocked, disturbed and disappointed that our Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is managing the movement and handling of ballot papers from Dubai to Zambia’s Lusaka International Airport with suspicious secrecy,” Dr Zimba said.
He alleged that opposition stakeholders had been excluded from receiving crucial information at various stages of the process.
Dr Zimba said there had been no stakeholder meeting to explain the scope, procedures and mandate of local ballot verification teams, leaving political parties uncertain about how the verification process would be conducted.
He also accused the commission of failing to provide advance documentation, including what he referred to as a packing list detailing the ballot papers being transported.
According to Dr Zimba, political parties had not been given a comprehensive daily schedule indicating which categories of ballot papers would arrive on particular days.
He said stakeholders also wanted to know whether the ballot papers would be transported on commercial or chartered aircraft, the routes the flights would take and whether there would be any stopovers.
Dr Zimba further raised concerns about the storage and security of the ballot papers after their arrival in Zambia.
He alleged that political stakeholders had not been given an opportunity to physically inspect warehouses at the airport and in Silverest where the ballot papers were expected to be stored.
He said the NRPUP wanted the ECZ to disclose how long the ballot papers would remain at the airport, the precise storage locations and who would be responsible for securing them.
“Additionally, we have not yet agreed with ECZ on the extra security measures to the warehouses where the ballot papers will be kept. As NRPUP, this is one aspect we treasure and treat very crucial,” he said.
Dr Zimba also demanded information about vehicles that would transport the ballot papers from the airport, including their registration numbers and the identities of the drivers.
He said transparency over the entire chain of custody was essential to maintaining confidence in the electoral process.
“Lastly, ECZ has strangely not availed us with any information on the number of vehicles that will receive and pick the ballot papers from the airport, when and time, the number plates of the vehicles and full names of the drivers who shall be carrying these ballot boxes,” he said.
The NRPUP has called on the ECZ to provide what it described as full disclosure and ensure established procedures are followed throughout the handling of electoral materials until polling day on 13 August.
Dr Zimba said the integrity of the chain of custody for ballot papers was closely linked to the credibility and transparency of an election.
“We demand immediate answers and correct steps to be strictly respected and enforced at all levels,” he said.
The allegations are those of the NRPUP. The ECZ’s response to the concerns was not included in the statement.
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