Press Release

Admin
Fri, 05 Aug 2016 15:18:14 +0000
Press Release, ballot papers, ECZ

1. DISPATCH OF BALLOT PAPERS

The Electoral Commission of Zambia would like to inform the nation that seven (07) trucks ferrying ballot papers and other non-security election materials were dispatched yesterday morning at 06.10 hours to the under listed districts:

LUAPULA PROVINCE | MUCHINGA PROVINCE
Chilubi | Mpika
Mansa | Shiwangandu
Chembe | Chinsali
Kaputa | Nakonde
Chienge | Isoka
Nchelenge | Mafinga
|
NORTH-WESTERN PROVINCE | WESTERN PROVINCE
Chavuma | Nkeyema
Zambezi | Kaoma
Manyinga | Luampa
Kabompo | Lukulu
Solwezi | Mitete
Kasempa | Mongu
Mwinilunga | Limulunga
Ikelenge | Kalabo
| Sikongo

The dispatch of the ballot papers and election materials was within the Commission’s schedule for the deployment of poll staff and materials by the Zambia Airforce (ZAF) to 117 polling stations which commences on 6th August 2016.

The Commission regrets that it did not adequately communicate the urgency of the dispatch to the stakeholders and apologises for the lapse in communication.

The Commission wishes to assure the nation and all stakeholders that the political party representatives in the districts will witness the delivery of all ballot papers and election materials which they will verify thereafter in the respective districts.

The airlifting of poll staff and security materials to the polling stations (that are inaccessible by road) is expected to be concluded by 10th August 2016. The delivery of ballot papers and election materials to all the districts is expected to be completed by 8th August 2016. Political parties will continue to witness the dispatch of ballot papers and election materials from the Commission warehouse in Silverest until the conclusion of the exercise.

1. REGISTER OF VOTERS

The Commission further wishes to advise stakeholders that the National voters registers for all participating presidential candidates will be ready for collection today starting from 15:00 hours at the Commission headquarters.

3. MEETING WITH HEADS OF PUBLIC MEDIA HOUSES AND THE POLITICAL PARTIES.

The Commission yesterday held a meeting with heads of Public media houses and Political Party representatives to discuss the issue of coverage provided by the State owned media to the Political Parties participating in this election.

It was agreed that there should be balanced and fair coverage in reporting political party campaigns. It was further observed that the media should be provided an enabling environment to report professionally. It was also agreed that there should be continued dialogue between political parties and the media houses.

Crispin N. Akufuna

PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER

ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA