POLITICAL parties and civil society organisations monitoring the printing of ballot papers in Johannesburg have dispelled claims that special ballots are being printed with the aim of rigging the polls in UPND stronghold.
The United Party for National Development (UPND) claims that some ballot papers specifically meant for the party’s stronghold areas were being printed with a feature that would see the marks fade on the ballot thereby counted as spoiled vote.
However, nine political parties and three civil and faith based organisations said such claims were baseless.
Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) Reverend, Aaron Chilunjika who spoke on behalf of the other organisations said the printing of ballot papers had been credible from the beginning.
Rev Chilunjika said the monitors have also inspected the type of paper being used which does not have any features that would make marks fade or move to another location.
“We have carefully and diligently observed the printing process from the beginning, and inspected the type of paper being used together as a team,” he said.
“Our faithful and sincere conclusion is as follows; the paper does not have hidden features as alleged that would allow marks to shift to a location other than the original location in which the mark is placed nor fading.”
He also said that the ballot papers are being printed according to the number of registered voters in each constituency.
Rev Chilunjika assured all Zambians that the monitoring team would not allow anything that might harm the integrity and security of the country.
Political parties that signed the statement include NAREP, MMD,FDD, Christian Democratic Party, Forum for Democratic Alternatives, UNIP, Heritage, PF, Fourth Revolution while EFZ, Islamic Supreme Council and the NGO Zambia National Women’s Lobby Group, UPND and Green Party did not sign with the latter arguing that the allegations were directed at ECZ and not the monitors.
UPND vice-president Canisius Banda alleged at a Press briefing on Wednesday  that his party had information that ballot papers meant for UPND strongholds were being printed on paper with chemical properties that allow ink marks to fade.
He said this was aimed at disadvantaging the opposition party in the January 20 presidential election.
Dr Banda further said there are plans to under-supply ballot papers to constituencies perceived to be UPND strongholds and asked the Electoral Commission of Zambia to make an assurance that the elections will be free and fair. – ZANIS