Tuesday, March 19, 2024

FDD strongly objects to the printing of ballot papers in Dubai

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FDD President Edith Nawakwi
FDD President Edith Nawakwi

The FDD says it strongly objects to the printing of ballot papers in Dubai and has called on ECZ to immediately call for stakeholders meeting to quickly resolve the issue.

FDD Spokesperson Antonio Mwanza said the commission has no justifiable reason to print the ballot papers in Dubai as opposed to South Africa where they have been printing.

Mr Mwanza said ECZ exits because of the of political parties hence should not stubborn by being adamant about the issue of printing ballot papers in Dubai.

“As FDD we strongly object the printing of ballot papers in Dubai. We call upon the ECZ to call for stakeholders meeting with political parties to resolve this matter. There is no justifiable reason for the ECZ to print ballot papers in Dubai as opposed to South Africa where they have been printing.

“ECZ has to know that there duty is to ensure that they country has free, fair credible and transparent elections and that the major stakeholders are us the political parties participating in the elections. The ECZ is surviving by virtual of us politician, without as politician there will be no ECZ and therefore as FDD we call upon for an immediate stakeholders meeting to resolve these issues of printing ballot papers in Dubai,” he said.

He accused the ECZ of working with the PF to rig the elections.

“We are strongly suspicious, there is something fishy, ECZ is colluding with the PF to manipulate the out come of the results. The ECZ have to realise that if they go ahead and print the ballot papers in Dubai disregarding the objections of opposition parties then there will be serious post elections conflict that might plunge this country into total chaos, we don’t problems in this country, we have been peaceful for the last 50 years.

“May the ECZ do its due diligence duty of in ensuring that the country holds free and fair elections. The company they want to use is the same company which was used in Uganda and we had problems there where some ballot papers came already marked, we are aware that there were extra ballots and we know that they want to print extra ballots and that shell not be tolerated,” he said.

The ECZ has said that the decision on printing ballot papers has been made and that northing will change despite some stakeholders raising some concerns.

70 COMMENTS

  1. This matter is just starting, watch this space. We will not allow this, we must all answer the call to defend our land. Gentlemen, ladies, duty calls, defend your country.

    • You can object all you want but the truth is FDD is losing. The ballot papers can be printed in Nawakwi’s back yard and she would still lose.
      If you are that suspicious about where the ballot papers will be printed, why don’t all you stake holders travel to Dubai to witness the printing instead of the nonsense you keep spewing about ECZ and PF.

    • Mobile Phone Gondwe just phone the Dubai company, ECZ and all the stakeholders instead of blogging. STUPIDI.TY.

    • Why doesn’t Nawakwi just talk to her PFoolish running mate to resolve this issue? Or she still wants to make a semblance of being independent?

    • Why doesn’t Nawakwi just talk to her PFoolish running mate to resolve this issue? Or she still wants to make a semblance of being independent from PF?

    • If if its true that this is the same company that printed ballot papers in Uganda’s recent presidential elections where some ballots were pre-marked in favor of the incumbent (Mu 7) as well as extra ballots which were later given to mu 7 after clearly white washed by the opposition and shockingly enough from no where (Pre-marked) Mu 7 had more votes to beat declared the opposition and later declared him winner by the Uganda’s electoral commission, then every peace loving citizen must get concerned about ECZ’s stance. Let’s not take advantage of the peace that we’ve enjoyed all this while. When war erupts these politicians and some ECZ directors with their families are safe they can even fly abroad but what about you and me and our parents in the village

    • PF is mistaking Zambia to be equivalent to Uganda and its nonsense. This is Zambia were leaders are held to account for their actions. Dear PF ask UNIP and MMD and you will find the answers.

    • TheGovernment should consult political parties concerned and all stakeholers.

      Their insisting on the print of the papers from Dubai and not transparently explaining why they are not considering UPND especially being the major party suggests their is under ground reasons to believe they will ensure Lungu wins through Trick or Treat.

      Sadly that is the case, these elections are a forgone conclusion.

      Thanks

      BB2014

    • Already the RTSA has lifted the ban on those Passenger bus transporter…no penalised for negilence or reckless driving.

    • CHAOS AND NO ORDER IS THE RULE OF THE GAME IN ZAMBIA. EDGAR LUNGU INDEED HAS NO DIRECTION. WE DON’T WANT TO BE DUPED BY LUNGU. OUR EYES ARE WIDE OPEN. WE SHALL REACT IF ANY RIGGING ATTEMPT BY PF IS MADE. BALLOT PAPER PRINTING SHOULD BE DONE IN SOUTH AFRICA, PERIOD!

  2. The word is out there if ECZ already eat commisions that is their baby to solve, printing shall be done in South Africa. We can raise the monies to have ballots printed in South Africa. Otherwise we may have to hire another agreed upon body from abroad to come an ran our election, forget ECZ.

  3. Just come up with some mechanism on how best this can be done. Send party representatives to Dubai and be there when the papers are printed and board the same plane when they are being delivered to Zambia. All parties must be at the airport to receive and check the boxes. Once in the country, the rest of the procedure can be the same as in the past elections. Lodging and boarding to be paid for by ECZ.

    • @dontcare let me warn you the issue of Dubai is a non starter.Why Dubai not any other place?we are read to kill on this issue.

  4. Even if you strongly object, they will go ahead and do whatever they want because they know that Zambians are docile, they just talk. Zambians cannot do what is happening in Brazil.

  5. The levels of ignorance in Zambia are too high, such that people would even deny modern electronic voting system used by developed countries for fear that computer system would manipulate the votes. Ubututu bubi bad.

  6. The Real Olivia Pope you must be a nackle head, the problem is not the about who wins, we don’t care if PF wins but let us not go where blood is not an issue for those countries that have experienced it. Watching the printing is not the issue The Real Olivia pope nackle head, be smart and wake up. I would love PF to win but I don’t want to smell blood. Get an outsider to come do our elections not these ECZ PF.

    • @Muni; did you mean “knuckle head”? Don’t call people knuckle heads
      when you can’t even spell. Calling you $tupid would be an insult to $tupid people!

  7. please update me. do we have provisions in our constitution that allows for an independent body to run our election? if we have such then it is better to contract an independent body to come and run our elections because from the word go ecz is a pf cadre and we don’t want problems in this country.

  8. Can someone convincingly explain how printing ballot papers in a particular region will favour a certain political party to win elections? Are people aware how elections are conducted in Zambia and the transparent and checks and balance procedures that are in place to rule out manipulation? This is an interesting illogical objection.

  9. This Zambia What Is L A Z For ? Why Do They Always Waite To Be Aweken The Waite Until Things Get Bad Like The Raiots Pliz Laz Site Ecz Now

  10. If it where in middle east, Priscilla Isaac would have been lost by now ( Dead ). She’s very stubborn & Sarcastic. So saith the lord……..

  11. ECZ needs to listen to concerns raised by the stakeholders. ECZ needs to justify the printing of ba?lot papers in Dubai as opposed to South Africa where they printed ballot papers in 2011 &15. The intergrity of the Dubai Printers is being questioned and ECZ must explain the allegations that this Dubai Printer printed extra and pre-marked ballots for the disputed Ugandan elections. We don’t want disputed elections in Zambia and we want a credible printer to be used. We do not want this Arab printer to print our ballot papers. We don’t trust this tainted Arab Printer to print our ballot papers.Period. It is the National interest that ECZ convenes urgently a stakeholders meeting to resolve this matter.

    • They just told all dunderheads that it is cheaper in Dubai than in SA. What else do you want? It does not matter where the ballots are printed, it is the checks and balances in place to ensure no funny business is taking place while printing. Opposition should not just waffle for nothing, think through the issues. In my view, the printing can and should be done locally in Zambia, unless you tell me that there is no printing company capable of handling such a contract. Then surely Zambia is a non-starter, should be handed back to the Queen of Britain!

    • @The General

      How could printing be cheaper in Dubai than SA? May be they should give us a breakdown of the costs but even without that you can see that it’s definitely not cheaper. The cost of transporting , accommodating and feeding the representatives alone would more than cover the cost of doing it SA.

  12. ECZ needs to listen to concerns raised by the stakeholders. ECZ needs to justify the printing of ba?lot papers in Dubai as opposed to South Africa where they printed ballot papers in 2011 &15. The intergrity of the Dubai Printers is being questioned and ECZ must explain the allegations that this Dubai Printer printed extra and pre-marked ballots for the disputed Ugandan elections. We don’t want disputed elections in Zambia and we want a credible printer to be used. We do not want this Arab printer to print our ballot papers. We don’t trust this tainted Arab Printer to print our ballot papers.Period. It is the National interest that ECZ convenes urgently a stakeholders meeting to resolve this matter.

  13. The issue of opposition parties crying foul as to where ballot papers will be printed has now become an established ritual of Zambian elections. They would find something to moan about even if the papers were going to be printed in heaven. Very soon we will be hearing about magic ink that favours awisi Tasila.

  14. YES MAMA. WE ALL OBJECT AS ZAMBIANS. ZAMBIA IS NOT FOR LUNGU AND HIS PROFESSIONAL FAILURES (PF). ZAMBIA IS FOR ALL OF US. ANYONE WONDERING WHY THIS OBJECTION IS JUSTIFIED YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THE FOLLOWING:
    1.THE FURTHER THE PRINTING THE HIGHER THE MORE DIFFICULT TO CLOSELY MONITOR – HOW ARE YOU SURE THIS COMPANY DOES NOT HAVE OTHER PRINTING FACILITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST THAT WOULD BE DELIVERED SEPARATELY? TAKE FOR EXAMPLE, THEY PRINT THE BALLOTS TRANSPARENTLY BUT DO NOT TELL THE NATION THAT THE COMPANY IS PRINTING OTHER BALLOTS WHICH ARE SHIPPED TO SOUTH AFRICA EN ROUTE TO ZAMBIA ON ELECTION DAY. IT TOUGH FOR MONITOR SUCH. UNLESS EACH BALLOT PAPER CAN BE DISTINCTIVELY IDENTIFIED SO ECZ HAS A LISTING OF BALLOT PAPERS WITH UNIQUE NUMBERS THAT IT ISSUES TO ALL STAKEHOLDERS AND WHEN COUNTING…

  15. Zambians come on….
    WHAT is wrong with us…..Honestly papers are printed in the presence of political party representatives, packed and transported in the presence of all.
    On the voting day, each political party has its agents to counter check the vote counting is correct. Some of things that we say are shameful.
    If anyone can explain how and where rigging is done i will be grateful…Let’s be truthful for once.

    • You are so ignorant my dear. Zambians are above that cheap untruthful cry. Remember the opposition in Zambia has smarter people than those in government at the moment. Zambians can no longer be fooled. This ka president wants to set the country on fire. He cares about nothing, blasphemy everyday. His end will be miserable. Just watch. If he is your father sit him down and whisper into his ears that Zambians want their country peaceful and progressive. Let him leave with some bit of dignity because he has already lost respect from many Zambians.

  16. ECZ stated that the bidding process was an Open Bidding Process (Open National/International Bidding) meaning local and foreign printing companies were at liberty to participate so long they had the capacity to deliver on time. Now if the local companies did not participate in the process should not be blamed on ECZ. Nawakwi is talking about awarding the tender to a South African company, why should ECZ award a South African company when there are so many companies with the comacity? single sourcing, promotes corruption.

  17. 2. WE DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDS TO BE PRINTING SO FAR AWAY. WHY DOES ECZ SEEM SO ADAMANT ON GOING FORWARD?
    3. WHO RECOMMENDED THIS COMPANY WHEN MS. ISAAC MENTIONED IT WAS RECOMMENDED?
    4. WHY WAS THE INFORMATION ONLY HELD BY ECZ WITH INVOLVING ALL PARTICIPANTS FOR TRANSPARENCY?

    THE FACT IS THERE IS SOMETHING VERY SUSPICIOUS WHICH ECZ WANT TO DO AND THIS CAN LEAD TO PROBLEMS. LUNGU SHOULD NOT HOLD THIS COUNTRY HOSTAGE. PLEASE LET THE PEOPLE CHOSE THEIR LEADER

  18. *****s will always insist to print ballot papers in Dubai becoz of the favors Dubai has given them. If not, ECZ will adhere to all the players and shud not be one sided. Unless the stakeholders concerns are taken care of, then blood shed is looming in Zambia, come 12th August. Why don’t they listen to other stakeholders?

  19. Interesting to note that both HH and Nawakwi do not use ballot papers within their own parties. ECZ should not allow parties that do not practice internal democracy to participate in any elections as it makes a mockery of the whole democratic process.

  20. Printing of ballot papers has always been an issue even to losers like HH. Even if they’re printed in South Africa there will still be an issue with company… Politicians are not competent people to evaluate printing bids. Please just campaign…

  21. Its very sad that people like HH, Vernon Mwaanga and this tweet called Antonio can openly show that they dont understand even simple matters like the procurement process. Look, public tender procedures are transparent and the most responsive bidder who meets the requirement of the client (in this case ECZ) gets awarded to deliver the goods or services. Its that plain clear.
    There is nowhere imwe ba UPND and Chi Mwaanga were it is written that only one and same company should be given the contract to deliver services or goods (in his case printing of ballot papers). Suppose the same South African company didnt participate or was not responsive, what do to you say? ZPPA rules are very clear.
    Now if HH cant understand simple matters like procurement, can he honestly run the complicated…

  22. The tendering process requires you opposition and other interested parties to raise your objections with ECZ officially by a certain cut off date before the award is made. You are supposed to show cause why ECZ cannot award the tender to the Dubai company. Now instead you broadcast your concerns/ignorance to me the voter, what am I supposed to do when I have appointed and mandated Priscilla Isaacs to work and do all those intricate duties for me? I pay Priscilla to conduct elections for me, so talk to her officially not me, a mere voter.

  23. This issue will just bring Electral Chaos in Zambia (ECZ). The other ECZ, Examination Council of Zambia may also be manipulated and come up with funny G12 certificate interpretations.

    All this is after ECL brought Economic Chaos to Lundazi and the nation.
    Anything beginning with E is becoming dysfunctional in Zambia. Even the Elections and Erections?

  24. Lungu is determined to win this election at any cost. Option 1 strategy has failed, that of creating a war situation and cancel election. Option two of using ECZ, a cadre organisation, that is plainly working for PF full time is about to blow in PF’s face once again. The arrogance of ECZ is enough to conclude with perfect confidence they are bought women and men of PF. They forget who their real employer is. Stakeholder concerns must be addressed, why they obstinacy?

    • But why are you saying ECZ is a PF organisation? The last time I checked, only about two commissioners have joined ECZ after PF won elctions in 2011, I stand to be corrected the rest were a carry over from the MMD ECZ which was also labelled as pro rulling party(MMD).So suddenly they are now PF please Zambians let us avoid unneccessary trivialities, printinng is not an issue, the process should be tightly monitored by all parties involved, Zambians just like talking tomuch over non issues. It has been clarified that infact that company did not print presidential ballot papers so how possible was it then to print pre marked museveni ballots when the tender was awarded to a different printer? This careless talk can just bring us unneccessary tension in the country.

    • @Manix

      I say ECZ is a PF organisation because they are not listening to Zambians. Zambians are against ECZ printing ballot papers in Dubai. They should be respected not be denied their rights to have a say where ballots are printed. They are as much a stakeholder as the PF is. That woman, Isaacs must not be aloof and arrogant. This is extremely sensitive and must be handled carefully. ECZ is not doing Zambians a favour, they should be seen to be doing their job openly and not shrouded in mistery.

  25. Why is it that only PF is comfortable with the Arab deal? Zambians please think through and answer my question.

  26. Where did HH print the ballot papers that were used at the convention that selected him to be the UPND’s presidential candidate despite losing four times and reducing the number of UPND MPs in parliament?

    • So HH can not be sanctimonious as he is just as crooked as Lungu? Holding up hands to vote for a leader is surely better than no selection process at all. UPND have not had a convention for 10 years! Even ZANU PF hold conventions more regularly than that.

  27. Intelligence reports have told Lungu that he cannot win elections in Zambia through transparent, free,fair and credible elections. Intelligence operatives from Uganda and Zimbabwe are busy in Zambia to help ECL & PF rig the elections in their favour. Ballot rigging is their second and critical stage in stealing elections. The first stage of rigging elections is voter registration which is now closed. Was due diligence ever done on the Dubai Printer? Why is ECZ and PF adamant on using this printer? All opposition parties must unite and force ECZ to select a printer in good standing and not involved in the controversial Ugandan elections. It is better to delay these elections than to endorse a ballot rigging printer.

  28. Was the procurement process followed as prescribed in the law? If not go for a court injunction to stop the ‘corrupt’ process. Otherwise, stop this meaningless issuance of press statements which are only alarming the nation unnecessarily.

  29. In court they don’t use hear say as evidence unless you produce empirical data to support your claim. A chorus of rigging the elections has become the new manifesto being peddled by the opposition but so far no one has produced any proof that ECZ has connived with PF to rig the elections.

    If M7 rigged the elections, it does not automatically mean ECL will also rig the elections.Can someone tell me what ECL has done to prove that he will rig the elections.

    When PF was in opposition, it accused MMD of rigging the elections but went ahead and won. So the talk of rigging elections is just a song which Zambian opposition parties sing in an election year which should not be taken serious by well meaning Zambians and foreigners alike.

  30. Honestly speaking even if Nawakwi used her own printing company situated at her own home to print the ballot papers, she would not win these elections. Even if Antonio Mwaza was the chief printing supervisor.

    Nwawakwi is well known for making unsubstantiated claims about anything.

  31. Political Parties are major stakeholders in the election ballot. As such, their misgivings and fears should be attended to, if the election results are to be accepted by them. ECZ should not be adamant.

  32. Antonio, no matter what rubbi$h you lot come up with, there are rules and regulations regarding the awarding of these tenders, so please stop making yourself look f00lish. The ECZ will even host you and other stakeholders, at taxpayers expense, to observe the whole printing, transportation and distribution process. So what is the problem?

  33. Whether ballot papers are printed in Nawakwis bedroom today, come August,2016, she is going to lose….so what is this noise for ? Stop wasting peoples time.

  34. Can we then all agree that the south African company that has been printing the ballot papers over the past years be made as an official company to be printing our ballot papers. Since most of you have so much confidence in the company. However, i am just wondering if this is not the same company that printed the 2011 ballot papers where upto now UPND still insists that ECL stole Hh’s vote??? What will be different this year
    ???

  35. Presidential ballot papers were NOT printed in Dubai, but in RSA. Paarl Media printed them in South Africa and Ethiopain airline transported them to Uganda.
    Iam only setting the record straight…..Conistence

  36. The need a printer who is good at secretly printing extra ballot papers and sneaking them in a country, to be used in secretly stuffing the ballot boxes, and this Dubai printer is good it.

  37. Awe mwalashupa after all you will not accept the results should PF win. Thats just your strategy. .. complaining , complaining! Ishi!!

  38. Hilarious,….. I am not clear on what justifiable objection Mwanza makes on printing from Dubai! Just objecting to object! On my part, I am hot for Dubai because…..er…..Flying Emirates has been a pleasant experience. The airline food is edible and delicious…..although it takes Stewards a long time to get to everyone on the Airbus. For that reason, Dubai should also excel on Printing to high standards!! I think my reasoning here is on par with opposition!

  39. Oh yeah! It had to be Antonio. Well Mr. Antonio, how much do you understand about business operation? How much do you understand about procurement? How much do you understand bout the biding process? If you printed your ballots with a named SAn company last year, do you still go with the company over and over again? The list of bidders could take different shapes at times. Your level of reasoning is becoming a source of concern. Take some time to understand HH’s interest in this before you follow blindly. HH has many business associates and acquaintances in SA and you have none. HH wanted to rig the 2015 election. Open your eyes Antonio.

  40. Oh yeah! It had yo be Antonio. Well Mr. Antonio, how much do you understand about business operation? How much do you understand about procurement? How much do you understand bout the biding process? If you printed your ballots with a named SAn company last year, do you still go with the company over and over again? The list of bidders could take different shapes at times. Your level of reasoning is becoming a source of concern. Take some time to understand HH’s interest in this before you follow blindly. HH has many business associates and acquaintances in SA and you have none. HH wanted to rig the 2015 election. Open your eyes Antonio.

  41. Too much mistrust, too much complaining, too much talk; that’s why we can’t print the ballots here at home.
    So much dumbness. So much greed and lack of self confidence.
    That’s why your currency is such a dumb! It’s high time y’all grew up.

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