The ruling PF has called on Zambians to ignore sentiments by some stakeholders that the PF intends to rig this year’s elections by printing ballot papers in Dubai.
The ruling PF was responding to Veteran Politician Vernon Mwaanga who has advised election stakeholders to verify facts that the Dubai-based firm which the Electoral Commission of Zambia has decided to award a tender for the printing of ballot papers for the August polls is the same company that printed ballots for the controversial Uganda elections in February this year.
PF Information Committee Member Sunday Chanda says the sentiments attributed to Dr. Mwaanga are calculated at discrediting the electoral process as it pertains to the 11th August 2016 election.
Mr. Chanda says the script to discredit the result of 11th August 2016 is informed by the cartel’s realisation that no Opposition Party has come of age to dislodge PF from power.
He says the ruling party refuses to believe that Dr. Mwaanga is an expert in rigging detection or the rigging process itself unless he wants the people of Zambia to believe otherwise.
He adds that the UPND to which Dr. Mwaanga is aligned is not in the frame of mind to concede defeat once they once again loose the general elections.
And Zambian Voice has released the statement below on the ballot papers printing
The Zambian Voice
Press Statement on Printing of Ballot papers
16th April, 2016
We are very concerned with the speculations and innuendos, by various stakeholders, that Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) may have an ulterior motives by awarding a Dubai-based Al Ghurair Printing Company to print ballot papers.
Some people have been quoted alleging, that, the said company printed pre-marked ballot papers in the last Ugandan elections.
Such speculations and allegations have a potential to put Zambia in turmoil because the forthcoming elections of 11th August 2016 are seemingly tightly contested and the emotions of political players are high.
It must be borne in the minds of all stakeholders that ECZ has a constitutional mandate to organise and conduct elections in a transparent, free and fair manner independently, without undue influence from any stakeholders.
The attacks on ECZ without substantiated facts borders on interference in the running of an independent body, which is not acceptable from any stakeholder including the ruling party Patriotic Front (PF).
We would like to urge all those stakeholders with facts of malpractices in the awarding of the Dubai company to bring evidence other than putting out speculations alarming the nation unnecessarily.
If it is the issue of cost, let those stakeholders provide credible alternatives meeting ECZ specifications.
We urge all Zambians, especially senior citizens, to be responsible in their statements concerning the forthcoming elections otherwise they are spelling danger for our nation.
CHILUFYA TAYALI
Executive Director
The Zambian Voice
Zambians must take the rigging stories very seriously. PF WILL ATTEMPT TO RIG THE AUGUST 2016 ELECTIONS!
EVEN IF BALLOT PAPERS WHERE TO BE PRINTED IN HH’S VILLAGE, THE WILL STILL SAY IT IS RIGGED. THATS UPND FOR YOU. ALWAYS FINDING SOMETHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT, ALWAYS MAKING ACCUSATIONS.
Rigging stories are real and all Zambians must protect their vote! The PF govt failed to explain the role Timor Consulting of Israel will be playing and why the ECZ doesn’t want to print the ballot papers in SA, where all successive govt have been running to. We’re keeping a very close eye on this edition of the general election. No vote swapping as witnessed in January 2015.
I strongly feel it was too early for PF or any person in government to react Mr. Mwanga’s sentiments. Whether they are mere sentiments or not, the truth remains that Uganda contracted the said company to print ballot papers. If elections in that country were characterized with rigging, is it surely wrong for anybody to fear the same happening in Zambia?
@sean, you are simply stupid. You trivialize a serious problem and you think you are any better cleverer? Silli un-vaccinated mongrel.
1.8 Kano Nibena April 16, 2016 at 5:40 pm
I guess there are many of such documents by the PF because also this idea of the President being a good Christian from no where no church no baptism. First lady going to any church gathering from no where. But the first family has been insulated from the real nature of the family and no one questions: Which Church does ECL go to? When was he baptised? But today ECL is portrayed as Christian even verses are given to him just to convince the gullibles!
The Lusaka Magistrate Court has convicted former Electoral Commission of Zambia Deputy Director for Information Technology Mr. Mpundu Mfula for corrupt practices involving US$90,000. The Anti-Corruption Commission arrested Mr Mfula, aged 54, of Plot 1927, 6 miles in Kabwangwe Area of Lusaka and charged him with one count of corrupt practices by public officer contrary to section 29(1) and section 41 of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 42 of 1996 as read with section (3)(e) of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act, Chapter 2 of the Laws of Zambia.
The Lusaka Magistrate Court has convicted former Electoral Commission of Zambia Deputy Director for Information Technology Mr. Mpundu Mfula for corrupt practices involving US$90,000.
The Anti-Corruption Commission arrested Mr Mfula, aged 54, of Plot 1927, 6 miles in Kabwangwe Area of Lusaka and charged him with one count of corrupt practices by public officer contrary to section 29(1) and section 41 of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 42 of 1996 as read with section (3)(e) of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act, Chapter 2 of the Laws of Zambia.
Details are that Mr. Mfula between 1st May 2006 and 31st December 2006, being a public officer namely Deputy Director Information Technology at the Electoral Commission of Zambia, did corruptly receive a total of US$90,000.00 cash as a gratification from Vik Vaid a Project Manager at Universal Print Group of South Africa.
The payment was made through a company called Aeron Limited of Mauritius as a commission for the supply and delivery of disposable booths, chairs and tables relating to the contract between Electoral Commission of Zambia and Universal Print Group.
The arrest and subsequent conviction of Mr. Mfula follows the backdrop of numerous concerns bordering on allegations of corruption involving officials at Universal Print Group, the company selected by the Electoral Commission of Zambia to print ballot papers for the 2011 General Elections in which the Patriotic Front won the Presidential elections.
Source Lusaka Times 26th January 2016.
Sunday Chanda…..lol from deputy information, now demoted to information committee member but also soon to demoted to a lower rank…Pwahahahahahhahhaha
UPND is a party for under 5 politicians!!HOW CAN MATURE POLITICIANS WARN PEOPLE WHO HANDLE ELECTIONS AT ECZ?UPND IS SIMPLY PROVOKING EXPERTS AT ECZ AND SINCE THEY ALSO HAVE FAMILIES TO LOOK AFTER,THEY CAN USE ALL TRICKS IN THE BOOK TO DELIVER VICTORY FOR PF AND RETAIN THEIR JOBS!!besides,these rumours do not give opposition supporters confidence to vote as they feel that even if we vote,pf will win.so why vote?THEY MAY END UP STAYING HOME HENCE ALLOWING PF TO RETAIN POWER EASILY!!upnd is in a panic mood!!they have to relax!!SPEED KILLS AND THEY ARE SURELY KILLING THEMSELVES!!
What are you talking about?? Sata even went as far as stopping and searching trucks on roads for rigged ballot papers.
WHEN DID VERNON MWAANGA JOIN UPND?
There’s no smoke without fire. Make sure the whole process is transparent. It’s a fact UPND will win this election.
1. What measures has ECZ put in place to ensure that the Electroral process is 100% quality?
2. What measures has ECZ put in place to ensure that all Local Stakeholders are confident of the electoral process from start to finish?
3. What measures has ECZ put in place to ensure that the ballots that will be printed will not have purported pre marks in order to win the confidence of all local stakeholders?
4. What measures has ECZ put in place to ensure that ballots do not fall into the hands of unauthorized people and are guarded well and completely?
5. What measures has ECZ put in place to ensure that all elections materials are delivered on time under maximum security and integrity?
6. What measures has ECZ put in place to ensure that all Polling stations start voting on time and…
6. What measures has ECZ put in place to ensure that all Polling stations start voting on time and end voting on time with no exceptions?
7. What measures has ECZ put in place to obtain results immediately without delays and ensure they are not tampered with?
8. What measures has ECZ put in place to announce results without basing them on Party strongholds?
9. What measures has ECZ put in place to ensure that Party representatives are present during the tallying of votes?
10. What measures has ECZ put in place to ensure that if electronic transmission of results is going to be used that the System has integrity and is free from manipulation?
11. What measures has ECZ put in place to ensure that everyone printing ballots ,transmitting and announcing results, handling ballots and the…
11. What measures has ECZ put in place to ensure that everyone printing ballots ,transmitting and announcing results, handling ballots and the Electronic System has security clearance and passed a background check.
12. What measures has ECZ put in place to ensure that the Electoral process is Audited pre and post elections by independant quality Auditors with a reputable name and the Audit results are shared with all Political Parties.
13. What measures has ECZ put in place to ensure that the Voter Register is of quality and represents everyone who registered and does not contain duplicates.
14. What measures has ECZ put in place to ensure that all Political Parties have the same opportunity to strenghthen Party structures.
15. What measures has ECZ put in place to ensure that…
15. What measures has ECZ put in place to ensure that Zambians will vote and listen to Political Parties of their choice during campaigns without violence or intimidation.
16. What measures has ECZ put in place to ensure that all Political Parties have equal access to the Public Media funded by tax payers.
17. What measures has ECZ put in place to ensure that they are free from Political influences.
18. What measures has ECZ put in place to ensure that every eligible Zambian exercises their right to register as a voter.
19. What measures has ECZ put in place to discipline and punish everyone who breaks the Electoral Code of Conduct without fear or favour.
20. What measures has ECZ put in place to ensure that there is zero election bribery and corruption to avoid costly future by…
20. What measures has ECZ put in place to ensure that there is zero election bribery and corruption to avoid costly future by elections and compromising of the Electoral Process and Democracy.
21. What measures has ECZ put in place to ensure that there will be no intimidation on the Zambian people by men in uniform.
22. What measures has ECZ put in place to implement Lessons learned from the last elections for their process improvement purposes.
It’s not the voting that’s democracy; it’s the counting. ~Tom Stoppard, Jumpers
The people who cast the votes don’t decide an election, the people who count the votes do.
Joseph
Response from ECZ on their facebook page on 9th April 2016 “Most of their answers are in their videos they will summarize the answers”
When RB lost to sata he accused Pf of rigging elections. In short a winner is always accused of rigging whether ruling or opposition. What I know is that there is no such thing as rigging. Why participate then if you know results will not favour you. Stay away from elections if you know you are losing. Imagine HH ha always been accusing others of rigging for the past five years. Zambians can never make a silly mistake of making hh president.
Any person who loves his/her country & fellow citizens would wish the best for the country. The problem with our country is there are so many people who only highly of themselves than others.
Especially this lmbecile on top.
Did Kabimba not anounce that he brought in Kenyans through the Nakonde boarder to help rig elections for Sata?
Comment:-(Lets Not Take Such Concerns Lightly.Peaceful Elections Ar Wht We Want.For Me Whoever Wil Make It In A Clean Mannr Wil Be Richly Blessd.Ifeed My Family And Myself.
Useless Techilema,who accused Sata of rigging?watch yo rotten mouth bfor alter any word, pf is loosing hence their panic to print ballot papers with a knwn corruct comapny of Dubai, as stakeholders we shall never go to sleep letting this move implemented
@VICTOR L Jacob: Machende a nyoko.
Wena Chilyata, why did you insult Jacob? Did you read his posting well?
It is clear that PF and ECZ are planning to rig the next election! Zambians should not let them do that.
Zambia is not Lungu’s, Tayali’s and Sunday Chanda’s mother’s country. If this is the case, then let us just have a civil war and people like Priscilla Mulenga should die first.
We will not allow you to manipulate us with impunity. What is happening is NOT Democracy and it is better to have a war instead of pretending to be democrats!
No need for war just put pressure on ECZ to conduct quality elections put pressure on local stakeholders to ensure that all of ECZ’s task and activity are in place before elections and pass the quality and pre-election audit, put pressure on the International Observers to conduct an operational readiness evaluation on ECZ’s preparedness to deliver a quality election at least 2 to 3 months before the elections, that way a lot of issues and risks will be mitigated in terms of anything that doesn’t meet the quality standards.
War? Civil war? Chilyata you are mad.
@Chilyata that’s the problem with you Ba upnd you should know that us who love ECL are in millions and we are voting for him, if you are bitter it’s not everyone
First, Uganda if they ask for VJ to testify over his allegations, GRZ should give him up to Ugandan’s authorities for this.
Secondly, ECZ should invite all political parties to participate in the tender process to select a printer of these ballot papers. Each party should send a representative to attend the selection procedure at their parties costs. ECZ should only provide the venue and supervision. National tender board can also be present.
This will make things transparent
Very important local stakeholders should be informed and aware of the tender process from the beginning, infact Printers from countries where there is public accountability such as UK, USA, Canada, Australia etc should also be invited for the tender process.
National tender board are almost all PF cadres, installed there by the PF.
The panicking PF kaponyas are forgetting that sata, their god even went as far as stopping and searching trucks for illegal ballot papers on our roads and today they want to dismiss the oppositions concerns about rigging???
The rigging rumours are very true. Some of us have first hand information. We know people who happen to be our relatives involved seriously in this scam. I was shocked to learn how far PF can go just to win the elections! I urge the opposition political parties to be very vigilant. These people (PF) have reached far in their plans and they are spending big. They are targeting rural areas especially Western, North Western and Eastern provinces. I have the facts!
Then continually put pressure on the opposition, international observers to put in processes to detect, expose and criminalize such unethical practices that can cause negative effects.It’s not the voting that’s democracy; it’s the counting. ~Tom Stoppard, Jumpers
The people who cast the votes don’t decide an election, the people who count the votes do.
Joseph
UPND…YABA…THEM PARTY ALWAYS WHINING AND WHINING BEFORE AND AFTER ELECTIONS….THEM UPND IS ABOUT RIGGING, RIGGING, RIGGING….EVEN IF IT WERE THAT THEM UPND HOLD A CONVENTION AND THIER LITTLE god HH LOSSES THEY GONNA WHINE THEIR USUAL RIGGING RHYTHM….EISH….GIVE PF A BREAK!!
IFINTU NI LUNGU….EDGAR LUNGU ALL THE WAY!!
You are the one call H H a god. we all know he is human like you and me but more intelligent than you are because your hatred screams out of the screen. Ba Edgar bena kuya bebele.
Nothing spoken out of a Pf mouth is to be taken seriously, you can never trust a snake.
Pf is no longer and they know it. The opposition must remain vigilant and strictly watch the pf and Ecz movements. Bad leaders like imposing themselves on people..
Pf is no longer popular and they know it. The opposition must remain vigilant and strictly watch the pf and Ecz movements. Bad leaders like imposing themselves on people..
Democracy implies fairness. Not all who would be, can be; and not all who can be, would be. Those who become ought not to think it theirs and theirs alone. It’s not. It belongs to all. In that regard, Rupiah Banda did set a legacy, one worth emulating. When he lost he conceded defeat, willingly accepting his fate. He thus become a new face in Africa, one the whole world relished to see and one that made him a star overnight.
Should PF want to play politics the old fashioned way, what a shame that will be!
We pray they won’t. We pray they don’t. Otherwise, how sad that will be, for them to turn the pendulum decades backward. Should we not build on the legacy Rupiah Banda left?
Soon Zambian watchdog will give u ndyonko of Kambwili calling some warthog CI RB misleading useless EL and how the neckless man thinks is better running mate than Nawakwi and how they ‘ll win by 101% using DUBAI Rigging .
Please we are watching u Timor ,ECZ and Dubai
The question is why do you want to print ballot papers in Dubai? Let them just show us all the bidders and then the criteria arrived at to show that this Dubai company was the best out of all the bidders.
Very true. Let ECZ show us all the bids.
Imwe bapompwe, basakalanyongo, you want to rig elections are you tell us to “ignore the sentiments”. Atase!
IS IT TRUE dat TIMOR COMPANY wil be used on the deck to manpulate elections,then iam scared of my fellow zambians who wil have their rights taken in vain.
THE FACT REMAINS AS ZAMBIANS WE WILL NOT ACCEPT THE BALLOT PAPERS TO BE PRINTED IN DUBAI, END OF STORY AND EVEN THE LIFTING OF BALLOT BOXES FROM RURAL AREAS MUST BE SERIOUSLY MONITERED BY ALL PARTIES.
Which Zambians? Printing in Dubai is cheap. Tulemi kolopa bangwele.
TANYOLI you are an *****
Ba pf u act as if zambian are dull! We know ur plans just try u see wht will happen, do u know how many families u ve taken back to poverty just by c/belt alone? We just want to sort u out of power period
The truth is whatever PF says just know the opposite is true. If PF says there is enough maize in the country then there is little maize in the country. If PF says they are not rigging elections then u know they are rigging big time. ECL and PF have lost popularity among Zambians and their chances of winning this year’s elections thru a popular vote have diminished. They are now actively scheming on how to rig the elections and retain power. Zambians can ignore these rigging threats at their own peril. PF must be stopped from rigging 2016 elections#
yes CLIFTON tell them!!
Upnd scared little frightened men even gbm with 5 brains is scared of being whacked by smart ECL just say that you have seen that the grassroots have rejected you.