PRINTING OF BALLOTS ABROAD STILL THORNY ISSUE -OPPOSITION
By MEMORY NYAMBE
Three out the 16 Opposition political parties contesting this year’s polls have continued questioning why government is hesitant to consider printing ballot papers locally despite numerous promises and refurbishment of the government printers.
Among the concerned parties include Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD), People’s Alliance for Change and New Heritage Party.
The MMD presidential running mate Reverend Reuben Sambo says the move is unfair while calling on the commission take seriously the concerns of the stakeholers.
And PAC president Andyford Banda says his party is equally dismayed at the stance of awarding contracts foreign based printing company at the expense of empowering the Zambians even during bye elections.
However, New Heritage party, Chishala Kateka’s running mate Samuel Kansanka says he sees nothing wrong with the commission printing in Dubai.
In January, 2020 the Electoral Commission of Zambia awarded Al Ghurair Printing Company of Dubai a two year contract worth K1.4 billion to deliver elections materials that include ballot papers, ballot paper posters and candidate’s posters