More ballot papers arrive

By NATION REPORTER THE final consignment of ballot papers for the July 26 Lusaka mayoral and council chairperson and local government elections has arrived in Zambia.

Eleven pallets of the ballot papers arrived at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) aboard an Emirates plane yesterday, in addition to 16 pallets which arrived on Tuesday bringing the total to 27.

The verification process of ballot papers by political stakeholders is ongoing at the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) warehouse in Silverest.

National Democratic Congress (NDC) representative Emmanuel Malite expressed happiness that the ECZ was informing stakeholders at every stage of the process.

Mr Malite said the NDC was ready for the election and that the party would participate in the Lusaka mayoral and Chifunabuli council chairperson elections.

The NDC leader expressed optimism that the party had fielded strong candidates for the Lusaka mayoral and Chifunabuli council chairperson contest with Saboi Imboela and Given Chola respectively.

He observed that the harmonised programme by the police and ECZ for political parties to hold rallies in a specific area as well as timeframe had reduced incidents of political violence among political contenders.

“As NDC we are happy that at every stage we are being notified by the Electoral Commission of Zambia, so we are able to monitor what is happening at every stage.

So it’s up to us to spread our campaign message, we are ready for these elections, as NDC we are participating in two elections that is for Lusaka Mayor and in Chifunabuli," he said.

Mr Malite said the party was ready for the ballot paper verification exercise which had started today and until Thursday.

The Lusaka mayoral seat fell vacant following the demise of Wilson Kalumba.

Other candidates include Miles Sampa (PF), Pastor Kangwa Chileshe (UPND), Mundia Mukubesa alias Petersen Zagaze (PAC), Madalitso Musukwa (UPPZ) and Bwalya Nondo (NAREP), among others.