By KALUWE HANZUKI in Dubai –
THE printing of ballot papers for next month’s general elections is progressing well in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The referendum and mayoral ballot papers have since been printed and completed.
The ballot papers for the referendum have been packaged, while the mayoral ballot papers are still being packed into pallets.
Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) commissioner Emily Sikazwe said Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing, the company contracted to print the ballot papers, had since begun to print local government elections ballot papers.
Dr Sikazwe, who is the team leader of what she refered to as ‘Team Zambia in Dubai’, said the referendum ballot papers had since been packaged awaiting delivery to Zambia when all papers are printed and packaged.
She expressed optimism that the printing process would be completed as scheduled.
“As team Zambia, we are on course as per our schedule. We are determined to finish on time and deliver according to our plan,” Dr Sikazwe told journalists here.
During this week, the printer was likely to start printing the ballot papers for parliamentary and presidential elections.
Nine political parties are contesting the August 11 general elections at the presidential level.
These are the Patriotic Front (PF), United Party for National Development (UPND), Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD), United National Independence Party (UNIP) and the Green party.
Others are the Democratic Assembly (DA), Rainbow party, United Progressive People’s (UPP) party and the People’s Alliance for Change (PAC).
The presidential candidates contesting the 2016 general elections are Edgar Lungu of PF, Hakainde Hichilema of UPND, Tilyenji Kaunda of UNIP, Winter Kabimba of the Rainbow party, Green party’s Peter Sinkamba and Edith Nawakwi of FDD.
Others are Saviour Chishimba of UPP, Andyford Banda of PAC and Maxwell Mwamba of the DA.– ZANIS