The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) says it is working with the Dubai-based printer Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing and Emirates Airline to establish why ballot papers for the 5 November by-elections did not arrive in Lusaka as planned.
The consignment was due on an Emirates flight at 14:30 on Friday, 30 October. ECZ Chief Electoral Officer Brown Kasaro said the commission was later told it was not on board, contrary to the Air Waybill it had been given.
Mr Kasaro said the commission was treating the matter with urgency and would give updates once the information is verified. The verification exercise set for Saturday at the ECZ head office is now subject to confirmation once the consignment’s status is clear.
The by-elections cover the Mandevu and Lumezi parliamentary seats and 12 local government seats across five provinces. The UPND is already unopposed in both parliamentary contests and in the Mbala mayoral race after other candidates withdrew.
Credit: News Diggers