Ballot papers printing on course

THIRTY million ballot papers are expected to be printed by Al Ghurair Publishing and Printing Company, the firm contracted by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to print ballot papers in Dubai, for this year's August 12, general elections.

Al Ghurair General Manager, Lakshmanan Ganapathy revealed yesterday that the targeted copies of ballot papers to be printed for the four categories in the elections, is 30 million ballot papers whose contract is US$3.6 million.

He said each of the categories which include presidential, parliamentary, mayoral/council chairperson and councillors will have 7.5 million ballot papers printed for the entire elections.

Mr Ganapathy was speaking during a conducted tour of the plant for the second ECZ monitoring team led by ECZ Commissioner, Ali Simwinga which arrived yesterday.

Mr Ganapathy stated that the company which has also started the process of digitally putting serial numbers on ballot papers, is also intensifying the printing and packaging of what has so far been completed.

He also commended ECZ for being one of the most organised electoral bodies on the African continent.

Mr Ganapathy pointed out Zambia and Kenya, as some of the countries that have the best electoral commissions which the company, has dealt with on the African continent and has never faced challenges with them.

And the ECZ has commended the media in Zambia for the manner, it is cooperaing in disseminating information on the electoral process in the country.

Mr Simwinga said the media both in Dubai and Zambia are contributing greatly in ensuring the nation is informed on the printing process of ballot papers currently underway by Al Ghurair Publishing and Printing Company to the satisfaction of the commission. -