DNA backs printing ballots locally
NO OPPOSITION political party should make noise over printing of 2021 ballot papers locally because these are the same people who have been questioning having such an exercise done outside the country on account of alleged rigging, the Zambian DNA has said.
Zambian DNA spokesperson, Spuki Mulemwa, said his organisation did not expect any opposition political party to protest the printing of ballot papers locally because that was what they had been calling for.
Mr. Mulemwa said time for maturity and soberness among political players was now and that his organisation would not take it kindly on any politician who will cry foul over the matter.
“Printers meet the specific technical and security concerns for undertaking such a massive assignment. Indeed, printing ballot papers locally would be cheaper and cost effective as well as save Government colossal sums of dollars spent on buying such services from foreign-based printing firms.
“The contract to print ballot papers locally would enable the Government-owned printing institution to earn enough revenue to be able to modernise its printing equipment, and create jobs for many Zambians who are roaming the streets without jobs.
He singled out the UPND as being among opposition political parties which had taken an antagonistic approach to Government programmes and urged the party to desist from its rigging claims and allow ballot papers to be printed locally.
“We are appalled by UPND’s move to oppose Government’s good plans alleging that Government wants to use the locally-based printer to rig elections or manipulate the elections.
“The opposition UPND’s stance to oppose Government‘s good plans to cut the cost of printing ballot papers without providing an alternative idea is appalling and retrogressive to say the least. The opposition party’s stance also exposes their lack of concern for the plight of the majority Zambians whose welfare Government could not improve for lack of resources,” he said.
And Zambia Union of Government and Allied Workers Department Workers’ Committee Chairperson, Emmanuel Nyendwa says Government printing department has highly trained and experienced staff capable of successfully printing 2021 ballot papers.
Reacting to insinuations that workers at the government printing department could be used to rig the 2021 elections, Mr Nyendwa, in a statement, said the department was capable of handling sensitive government documentation and should be trusted to do a professional job with printing of ballot papers.