Universal Printing Group ( UPG ) Projects Manager Vik Vaid says Eight hundred thousand (800 000) presidential ballot papers have been printed.
Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) President Dr Alex Ngoma has urged Zambians to have faith in the renowned South African printing company.
ZANIS reports from Durban , South Africa, that Mr. Vaid said this , yesterday, when he led a Zambian observation team into the plant to check on the progress of the printing process.
The Zambian observation team was also given a chance to look at the quality ballot papers that were printed during the tour of the plant.
Mr. Vaid also informed the team that the printing company has started receiving data on the national assembly candidates.
Meanwhile, Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) President Dr Alex Ngoma has urged Zambians to have faith in the renowned South African printing company.
Dr. Ngoma said the growing suspicions being leveled against the UPG by some political parties and civil society in Zambia of the company being corrupt were unfounded saying he has personally not seen any trace of graft in the printing process during the tour.
“It is not possible that any ballot paper was printed before the observation team was here. There was no way the printing company could guess the aspiring candidates” Said Dr Ngoma.
Dr Ngoma who is in the observation team representing all non governmental organizations in zambia also said that the security features on the ballot papers will not allow anybody to replicate them. He said that the process is straight forward, computerized and that it cannot be manipulated.
Dr Ngoma has also commended the Zambian government for allowing Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) for allowing the non governmental organizations to come and witness the printing of ballot papers.
“We are the eyes of the 13 million Zambians back home there is need to give serious attention that the process deserves,” said Dr Ngoma
Dr Ngoma further said that the Zambian people must listen to the representatives they have sent here to give correct information and avoid speculations.
And Islamic Supreme Council of Zambia representative Mr Sheikh Shaban Phiri has said that the presence of the observation team has at the plant has cleared the negative publicity which has has surrounded the printing of the ballot papers.
In another interview, Christian council of Zambia representative Rev Sitali Kakungu said that the management of the printing company has been open in addressing some of the concerns raised by the Zambian people which include the transparency of the printing process.
ZANIS
1. For all of us who have seen video footage of this highly mechanised plant, it was extremely irresponsible and just plain silly for PF together with their KNOW IT ALL sympathiser, Mulongoti to suggest that Govt printer had the capacity. 2. That ka man with tu ma glasses who PF has sent to observe the process should be ashamed of the fact that he is the only one who’s unable to comment on the process, as his colleagues are doing, perhaps he’s still mesmerised from the plane ride and completely overwhelmed with the tu ma Indian coloureds of Durban. 3. Given Lubinda is wasting his time challenging this process and he should be reminded that there are just 30 days to go.
Govt printers are no match to UPG, for sure
The Question is would the Company Printing the Ballot papers tel hese rep’s about possibility of Rigging???
Would the company printing the ballot papers be foolishly open about it if they have imbeded rigging into the system???
To avoid rigging UPG should print the ballot papers according to the number of registered voters.No extra ballot papers.
You think these guys are so foolish that they demonstrate rigging in full view of the observers?? What observers should know is that, besides the main printing machine, there is an axilliary duplicate machine that is working on the rigging aspect.And mind you, things are happening at night when all the observers are fast asleep. Foolish & idiots Zambians..!!
Chessey
You are very right. Who does evil things in full view of every body. I am very disappointed with this Doctor Ngoma guy. It takes a lot of work to become a Doctor and the least I expect from him is to think and analyse issues so lowly like a school boy. Hungry Lions!!!!
donci kubeebaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa………………………!!
Ala ni donci kubeebbaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!
Even the most known currencies have been replicated with many security features. The world is getting sofisticated.
ChesseyYou are very right. Who does evil things in full view of every body. I am very disappointed with this Doctor Ngoma guy. It takes a lot of work to become a Doctor and the least I expect from him is to think and analyse issues so lowly like a school boy. Hungry Lions!!!!
Let this be the last time ballot papers will be printed outside the country I hope necessary upgrades for Government Printers will be among our national priorities
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