SEAM TEMBO SADDENED BY ECZs REFUSAL TO SPONSOR POLITICAL PARTIES TO MONITOR PRINTING OF BALLOTS
PRESS STATEMENT No.51 ISSUED ON MONDAY, 5th JUNE 2021: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1. As Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP) we are saddened by the continued refusal by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to sponsor political parties to observe the ongoing printing of ballot papers in Dubai. We are further informed that so far the ruling PF party is the only political party that has managed to send representation to Dubai. This ECZ approach of exclusion by circumstances is totally unacceptable as it is a well-known fact that only the PF can afford the cost of sending representatives for weeks to Dubai.
2. This unfortunate situation is seriously undermining the integrity of the entire electoral process because the printing of ballot papers is a cardinal stage in the electoral cycle. Given the fact that our general elections are sponsored by taxpayers, ECZ has no credible excuse as to why they are refusing to sponsor representatives of opposition political parties to witness the printing of ballot papers in Dubai.
3. It must be noted that one of the reasons why we advocated for ballot papers to be printed here in Zambia as opposed to Dubai, is because it would have made it easier for all political parties to witness the printing of ballot papers. Given that ECZ insisted on ballot papers to be printed in far away Dubai, against the wishes of the majority of political parties who are the key stakeholders, they must consequently foot the bill for political parties to witness the printing of ballot papers.
4. As Patriots for Economic Progress, our considered view is that by only having the ruling PF party witnessing the printing of ballot papers in Dubai, the possibility of rigging of the upcoming elections is increased. With no opposition representatives present in Dubai, Zambians will not have any way of knowing whether additional ballot papers that can be used for rigging purposes, have been printed or not. The only sure way of knowing that the number of ballot papers printed equals the number of registered voters is by having representatives of opposition political parties present to witness the printing. But the Electoral Commission of Zambia is making this virtually impossible, for insidious reasons best known to itself.
5. As Patriots for Economic Progress, we wish to advise the PF and its Government in general and the Electoral Commission of Zambia in particular that their actions so far have been sowing seeds of distrust of the electoral process and they should not be surprised when Zambians reject the outcome of the 12th August general elections. So far, the actions of ECZ have been designed to give the ruling PF party an unfair advantage over all other opposition political parties, which is contrary to the constitutional mandate of the Commission. Such conduct should no longer be tolerated by the Zambian people.
Thank You and May God Bless the Good Citizens of the Republic of Zambia and Our Ailing Nation.
Yours Sincerely
Sean Enock Tembo (SET)
Presidential Candidate
Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP)