Opposition seeks security assurance over Govt Printers
STAKEHOLDERS must be convinced that security has been enhanced at Government printers before embarking on printing of ballot papers for future by-elections, the UPND have said.
The opposition party also said stakeholders must be shown samples of what could be produced by Government printers and to be taken on a tour of the facility to prove that security and other concerns were taken care of.
This follows an announcement by Minister of Works and Supply, Sylvia Chalikosa that
Government Printers was now ready to handle printing of ballot papers and if there was any by-elections, ballot papers would be printed locally after the 2021 elections.
UPND spokesperson, Charles Kakoma however said stakeholders must be convinced that proper security had been put in place so that there were no fears of rigging.
Mr Kakoma said concerns from stakeholders over the printing of ballot papers locally should be addressed before Government printers could be endorsed.
Mr Kakoma also said the media must be allowed to undertake a tour of the Government Printers so that the public could be informed of what was really on the ground.
Earlier, Ms Chalikosa said Government Printers was in good shape and therefore able to print ballot papers.
She said in an interview that Government would be able to test the Printers by printing ballot papers if there would be any by-elections after the 2021 elections.
The minister indicated that government feels should there be any by-elections after the 2021 general elections then the ballot papers would be printed locally.