‘Call stakeholders meeting over ballot papers’

THE Electoral Commission of Zambia must call for an emergency meeting with stakeholders to tackle the issue of printing ballot papers for 2021 general elections, the Leadership Movement has said.

Party president Richard Silumbe said the majority of stakeholders including political parties had not been engaged on the matter on where to print ballot papers 2021.

“As the Leadership Movement would like to call upon the Electoral Commission of Zambia to call an emergency meeting following a statement on the printing of ballot papers in Dubai, ahead of 2021 general elections.

“At this stage a meeting which brings together the Church, civil society and political parties will add value to the electoral process knowing the Electoral Commission of Zambia is people’s institution,” he said.

Dr Silumbe in an interview recently said by doing so ECZ would instill public confidence in whatever it was doing regarding the 2021 polls.

He however said the party was ready for the 2021 general elections whether the ballot papers were printed locally or outside the country.

And Dr Silumbe has called on ECZ to announce its 2020 to 2021 ECZ plan to the public and state when it would start registering new voters.

Meanwhile the opposition alliance comprising the United Party for National Development (UPND), Republican Progressive Party (RPP), National Democratic Congress (NDC) and National Restoration Party (NAREP) said it had put in place measures aimed at countering any election rigging in 2021.

Alliance spokesperson James Lukuku said the alliance was engaging all progressive local and international organisations to counter and properly manage the scheme.

Mr Lukuku said this and many other interventions in place would enhance a proper voter tabulation system during vote counting.