DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) says it has completed the printing of 86 percent of ballot papers for the 2026 General Election, with all presidential ballot papers now fully printed.
Providing an update from Dubai on Monday, ECZ Commissioner McDonald Chipenzi said the ballot printing and packaging exercise at Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing LLC had made significant progress since the Commission's previous update on Friday.
Mr. Chipenzi revealed that all 9.1 million presidential ballot papers had been successfully printed.
He added that 30,178,050 of the total 36,473,200 ballot papers required for the general election had so far been produced, representing 86 percent of the entire printing exercise.
"This entails that we are remaining with only 14 percent to complete the printing journey," Mr. Chipenzi said.
According to the Commission, 6,628,500 National Assembly ballot papers have been printed for 168 constituencies, leaving ballot papers for only 51 constituencies yet to be completed.
For the mayoral and council chairperson elections, ECZ has printed 6,722,550 ballot papers covering 96 districts, while 7,708,700 ballot papers have been printed for 1,542 wards in the local government elections.
Mr. Chipenzi explained that the overall number of ballot papers required had reduced after several candidates were declared unopposed in the parliamentary, mayoral and local government elections.
He further said all administrative issues relating to ballot paper proofs had been resolved, allowing the printing process to continue smoothly.
"The Commission is committed to deliver the ballots to Lusaka as scheduled," he said.
The ECZ Commissioner disclosed that the first sealed pallets of ballot papers will leave the printing facility on 24 July before being airlifted to Zambia on 26 July.
Upon arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) in Lusaka, the ballot papers will be verified by representatives of political parties and other election stakeholders before distribution across the country.
Mr. Chipenzi said the Commission will continue providing regular updates until the ballot printing exercise is fully completed.
Source: Kalemba News