NGO SEEKS BALLOTS PRINTING CONTRACT CANCELLATION

Anti-Rigging Zambia has called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia –ECZ- to cancel the contract for the printing of ballots for this year’s elections.

The ECZ recently awarded South African company a contract to print ballots for the general elections.

Just like in the 2006 and 2008 elections, the ECZ has awarded Universal printing, the contract to print ballot papers.

But Anti-Rigging Zambia says the contract awarding of is of grave concern to other political parties.

The Non-Governmental Organisation claims the contract awarding was directed by the government of the MMD, despite the party being in power at the time of the decision making.

The call is contained in a letter dated 29^th July 2011, addressed to the ECZ Chairperson, Ireen Mambilima and signed by Anti-Rigging Zambia Chairman, Willie Mubanga and Legal Director, Kelvin Bwalya.

The letter has also been copied to all presidents of major political parties, including the MMD.

And the NGO is also asking if the ballots can be printed locally because it will save tax payers money.

However, the Zambian government and the ECZ have in the past insisted that the country has no capacity to print ballots locally.