From KALUWE HANZUKI in Dubai –
THE printing of presidential ballot papers for the August 11, 2016, general elections has been completed.
Meanwhile, Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing Company has commenced the printing of parliamentary ballot papers, which were the last batch in the on-going printing process for the forthcoming elections.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) announced here that the printing of presidential ballot papers, which started three days ago and was at 60 percent yesterday, was completed yesterday.
“I just want to mention that we are on target in terms of printing presidential ballot papers. We have completed the printing, it is at 100 per cent,” said Sylvia Bwalya, the ECZ senior public relations officer.
She said the printing of local government elections ballot papers was at 54 per cent as of yesterday.
Other materials that had been completed were the presidential posters, referendum posters and mayoral posters while the preparation of tactile folders was at 50 per cent.
The packing of referendum papers for all the 156 constituencies had also been completed.
The printing of parliamentary ballot papers was expected to be completed on Tuesday next week.
Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing general manager Lakshmanan Ganapathy said the company would complete the printing process next week.
Meanwhile, ‘Team Zambia’ delegation leader Emily Sikazwe has reminded her group that there would still be a lot of work to do after Tuesday next week.
Dr Sikazwe, who is one of the commissioners at the ECZ, said there would be need for close monitoring of the packaging of ballot papers after everything had been printed.
“The most important work will be to make sure our ballot papers are packaged in a safe manner and delivered to the airport (Dubai) for onward delivery to Lusaka,” she said.
She said all team members would be expected to be at the printing plant to monitor the packing from Tuesday onwards.
“So our job is not yet over. The struggle continues,” she said.
Patriotic Front representative, Ngosa Simbyakula praised the harmony which ‘Team Zambia’ had exhibited during its work in Dubai.—ZANIS