The Zambia Direct Democracy Movement (ZDDM) says it is disappointed with PF’s double standards regarding the printing of the country’s ballot papers.
ZDDM president Edwin Sakala said it is shocking that the PF government has engaged a foreign company, Smith and Ouzmman of the United Kingdom to print ballot papers for the country’s forthcoming parliamentary by-elections for Chama North, Muchinga and Livingstone when the MMD government was heavily accused of using foreign printing companies as a conduit for rigging elections.
Mr. Sakala says it is surprising how President Michael Sata has turned against his promise to print ballot papers locally.
He noted that awarding local companies to print election materials will not only give the government a chance to see how ready local printing companies are but the development would also be a way of empowering local companies.
Mr. Sakala said he had believed that President Sata and his government were going to keep their promise of printing the election materials using machinery but has realized that president Sata is known for not keeping his word.
He said since there is a change of plan, citizens will have no choice but to ask who it could have been that single sourced the foreign company to print the ballot papers.
Mr. Sakala has since urged investigative wings in the country to investigate the manner in which the company contracted to print election materials was picked.
[QFM]
politics the game of lies
more coments pls
Sata busy digging his political grave plus his followers, ni lenshina type, if he cant continue after 2016, then all the PF must follow him. probably thats why he is not concerned what is happening. he seems to be sleeping and by the time he wakes up, the queues for voting him out of power will be three times longer than the ones that forced MMD out.
I wonder why some people get bothered PF and Sata, Guys u will have heart attacks if u take it gospel anything u hear from Sata the guy is not honest. He is so consistent with inconsistenciesÂ
If local companies are not ready to print ballot papers what should the GVT do? wait for them to put their houses in order? I believe the GVT is committed to have these papers printed locally but our local companies should qualify or else you are inviting problems because these are sensitive materials not just like any other paper please. HH will be the first to open his big mouth and say elections where rigged. Give PF a break you people!!!
Its nature for politicians to say one thing in the morning and contradict themslves in the evening.Just watch what is going to happen. By awarding a foreign firm to print ballot papers in the UK we are securing foreign jobs and creating wealth for others instead of ourselves. This type of doing things will not take this country anywhere.
The best way to frustrate your self in this life is to believe a politician.Â
they said ‘The next general election ballot papars will be printed locally!’ not these By-Elections merely a few months after the general elections mwebantu!
Nice try, Pixxy. But if you go back and check LT on 10 October 2011, you will see that the President was quoted as follows:
“President Sata has said that Zambia will print its own ballot papers for future elections. The President said in Lusaka on yesterday that the November 24 Magoye and Nakonde parliamentary by-elections will be the last to be conducted on foreign-printed ballots.”
And Kwekwe, why should the Zambian people give PF a break now that the shoe is on the other foot? As I recall PF severely castigated MMD saying that Government Printers was more than capable of printing the ballot papers in September…. and that was for the national election, not even a puny bi-election like we have now. Does PF think we all have such short memories as Pixxy?
I don’t think there has been a departure from the promise. PF is actively giving that the attention it deserves and is in the process of acquiring machinery putting all logistics, security, etc, in place.
It certainly will be done
How can people still get shocked at PF u-turning on promises? That’s what is shocking really.
Instead of Promises Fulfilled it’s Promises Failed for PF.
Don’t do your heads in dear Zambians; Sata is a congenital liar. It is wired into his DNA!
#7 Gazi spot on!
Never put ypur trust in politicians. You will always be disappointed.
U-turns. U-turns. U-turns.
hahahahahahahah
THAT IS GOSIPP YOU HAVE FAILED TO FIND WAYS OF BLAMING PRESIDENT SATA, NOW YOU ARE BUSY MAKING FAKE STORIES AGAINST HIM.SHAME ALLOW HIM TO WORK FOR US WHO VOTED FOR HIM, U CAN AS WELL TELL HAKAINDE TO SHAT UP.
Hakainde thought PF will not will 2011 general elections, but he wake up with a terrible shock of his life.Now he has no way forward with his political career.MMD can not allow him to lead the ‘UPND/MMD pact’ again he feels shy to stand as Councillor or MP in his party.As a result he has become anoyed with his actions.
The decision to print ballot papers lays with ECZ. They are the one who reccomend where to print the ballot pappers and who prints. This is done through the open tender conducted under ZPPA.
I totally agree with those who are opposed to printing the ballot papers outside the country. It is mind bogling that, the same people who wanted to plunge the country into chaos over the printing of ballot papers in SA could be the ones wholly embracing the same vice they so vehemently opposed. These are the ones who are turnishing the name of politics. One would think, during this period of bye elections, the local companies would be given the opportunity to begin building their printing capacities for future elections. By the way, who is not aware that such contracts comes with kick backs. It is all about these guys lining up their pockets at the expense of the people they promised more money in their pockets. Never take Zambian politician seriously, they are all about themselves period