Friday, March 29, 2024

Zambia Public Procurement Authority advises ECZ to Review Ballot Printing Tender

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Chairperson Judge Esau Chulu
Chairperson Judge Esau Chulu

The Zambia Public Procurement Authority has advised the Electoral Commission of Zambia to review the tender to print ballot papers for the August elections.

This was after the Commission recommended that the multi million-dollar tender be awarded to a Dubai based printing firm.

Commission Chairman Justice Esau Chulu told a meeting of political party representatives this morning at Mulungushi International Conference Centre that the ZPPA has written to ECZ advising that the tender be reviewed.

Justice Chulu said this follows the objections raised by all the 13 companies that participated in the tender against the awarding of the tender to the Dubai firm.

He however reiterated that the Commission has not awarded the tender to anyone but merely recommended that Alghurairi Printing & Publishing LLC of Dubai be awarded the firm.

Justice Chulu also appealed to political players who have objected to the ECZ’s choice of printer to provide tangible evidence to the Commission.

The ZPPA’s intervention is the latest twist in the controversial tender after ECZ Director Priscilla Isaac maintained that the Commission’s choice of the printer is final as prescribed in the ECZ Act.

Earlier today, Political parties took the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to task demanding an explanation why it has insisted on awarding the contract to print ballot papers to a company in Dubai.

During a heated (ECZ) stakeholders meeting in Lusaka this morning, political party presidents who included vice president Inonge Wina, UPND president Hakainde Hichilema, FDD President Edith Nawakwi, Green party President Peter Sinkamba, People’s Party president Mike Mulongoti, Poor people’s party Alex Muliokela and many others also expressed concern on the country holding the referendum alongside the general election.

UPND president Hakainde Hichilema said that it was sad that despite stakeholders writing to the ECZ on the decision to print ballots in Dubai, they have not paid attention to the concerns raised.

FDD President Edith Nawakwi asked the Commission to explain how they are working out modalities for security officers who will be sent to other towns to police the election process.

Ms Nawakwi says the commission should avail the list of the officers and where they will be sent to political parties.

Meanwhile the ECZ has announced that official campaigns for the general election will commence on the 16th May, 2016 and close on the 10th August, 2016.

77 COMMENTS

    • There are a lot of dirty tricks marinated in this ECZ deal. Even the Chairman of ECZ can`t present valid argument why they picked on the Dubai company. And isn`t it the job of the Public Procurement Authority to award contracts, why is ECZ doing it?

    • Please I hope another firm gets to print these ballots so that there will be no excuse when we witness kolopa.com part 2!!!

      #HungryHyena(HH)MustFallForThe5thTime

      2016 ECL nafuti

    • Iwe ka Mr Kudos, be objective in the sensible manner. Was it only HH who spoke yesterday in the meeting? In fact Ms Nawakwi did the most talking than any Party President who was in that meeting. Why then are you singling out HH you bafoon? Your hatred will send you to an early grave!

    • PRISCILLA ISAACS waona manje, BOTTOM POWER IS NOT THE FINAL DECISION!!!!!!!
      YOU EMPHATICALLY SAID DECISION WAS FINAL!!! Just enjoy the spoils of BOTTOM POWER, BUT KEEP YOUR DIRTY HANDS OFF THE PEOPLES WISHES!!!!
      Learn to RESPECT a PEOPLES WISH!!!

      Vote WISELY 11/8/2016!! Vote Zambia FORWARD!! Vote UPND!!!

      #chagwamustfall!! #PamaFikuyabebele!!

      I thank you!!

  1. Excellent. When you lose elections even with your South African company (HH), it will be a wonderful day.

    • The kaponyas are not sleeping, the see HH when they sleep, they see HH when on the toilet, they see HH when eating…..

    • What troubles me is that (HH), trying to enter Plot 1 and his cronies can go to the extent of trying to discredit reputable institutions like ECZ. How can we support such a divisive crook. This manure smelly cow dang is just a masterbated wasted sperm

    • The numb skull has gone mental whenever he thinks of how he will be humiliated by Edgar losing in August. Please, take him to Chinama before it’s too late.
      Whenever he hears the word “H” the Ar.sewhore jumps up. Tekanya we chimbwi we! The day of reckoning is coming.

    • No No No Kudos. Why hasn’t LT banned you by now. LT please ban this chap. If you don’t know how to block an IP address, I can teach you. This chap or whatever he/she is does not have a life other than picking on HH. FDD and other parties are saying the same thing. Why pick on HH. Leave him alone and just advise your useless president on how he will be going to court everyday to answer for the deals he has been involved in and those he has allowed to loot money belonging to the Zambian people.

    • Commentator I repeat, you’re not wise. You F0OL should be banned for comments where you pick on our Republican President, here’s your rubbish: “Why pick on HH. Leave him alone and just advise your useless president “. Dull Commentator You and I are two sides of the same coin, only difference is that I understand your fundamental right to comment and blog freely. When civilized Zambians talk against your Supreme Southern small god (HH) you cry foul. Look at your Nega-Nega media Watchdog, daily insulting His Excellency MCS to his death as a urine bag, ailing dictator. You radical UPND F0OLS are the only thing worse than ISIS. Come August 8 we shall forever bury you minions.

    • LOOK HERE YOUNG MAN. BE CIVILIZED. I AM NOT ZWD AND NEITHER AM I AFFILIATED WITH THEM. I ONLY SPEAK FOR THE GREATER GOOD OF THE ZAMBIA. AND LUNGU CANNOT AND HAS FAILED TO MANAGED THE COUNTRY – THIS IS FACT THAT EVERYONE KNOWS. THE ONLY THING YOU DO IS DEMONIZE A PERSON – HH. WHAT IF I TOLD YOU I WAS AN FDD SUPPORTER BUT ALL I WANT A COMPETENT PRESIDENT FOR MY COUNTRY – WHO AT THIS HAPPENS TO BE HH. LUNGU IS NOT COMPENTENT. PERIOD!!! WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT. ITS A FACT. TELL ME 3 THINGS THAT LUNGU HAS ACHIEVED IN HIS LIFE OTHER THAN DESTROY OUR GREAT NATION. INSTEAD OF FINDING SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS FACING ZAMBIANS HE IS ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT HH. HH IS NOT THE PROBLEMS ZAMBIANS ARE FACING. HE SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT SOLUTIONS EVERYDAY NOT HH OR CAMPAIGNING. AS PRESIDENT OF THE…

    • Stop it you two! Kudos and Wise commentator. Get a hold of your emotions. We are beginning to find it difficult to tell the difference between the two of you. You are both intelligent bloggers. Show us your mettle by debating intelligently while not using unpalatable language.

    • WHY IS ANY ONE BOTHERING TO COMMENT ON Kudos???? You can openly see that THE SKULL IN HIS PICTURE EMPTY & MOST LIKELY NUMB, hence the term “NUMBSKULL”

      Not much sense can spew from an empty numbskull then??

      Vote wisely 11/8/2016!!

      I thank you!!

  2. Slowly the noose is tightening around the neck. Scheme after scheme is being exposed and all the reasons Ms Isaacs was giving are being laid bare for to see them for what they really are.

    Let the elections be free and fair so that the winner will have the support of all of us and we can all exert our energies on putting our country back on the course of prosperity instead of politicking every day for another 5 years.

    • The management of ECZ is clearly suspect. If all the other participants of the tender are questioning the result then there is something seriously wrong. And ZPPA is right to make its recommendation. It is not even a political issue. Clearly ECZ have not followed a logical process in the choice of the winning bid. The big question is why? Clearly it is not price nor quality. So what are the Arabs offering that is more useful than the lowest price or the best quality? Judge Chulu needs to exercise wisdom over his juniors and force the right thing to be done instead of playing funny games. This is not mere incompetence.

  3. I must commend ECZ and all stake holders for getting together to ensure that all concerns on this matter are heard. This is progressive in a democratic set up like ours. I must commend ZPPA for the professional advice. I hope that this approach will now bring all stake holders to a collective agreement so that we build a better Zambia. ECZ must not sound imposing, but all encompassing, Govt must also sound willing to listen and then the opposition must also provide their preferred approach clearly and be very objective. Lets not forget that Zambia is for us. We all must operate above partisan politics and have Zambia at heart. One Zambia One Nation.

    • Don’t commend ECZ who clearly have been caught with their pants down. ECZ are overseeing a public event and they cannot claim immunity against public opinion. ECZ are not overseeing elections on their own behaviour. They are doing this on behalf of all Zambians. It is clear now that all participants in this fiasco, other than PF and ECZ, are unhappy about the route ECZ has taken.

  4. What is so hard for ECZ to explain why and how a more
    Expensive printer was recommended despite the other printers reaching all the specifications.

  5. Priscilla Isaacs must have been bribed real good on this one, her family & relatives must have been covered good too because it seems like she isn’t looking beyond her nose.
    She’s only looking at her own self interests including that Louis Vuitton handbag when conflict breaks out due to her selfish motives.
    ACC, LAZ, TIZ this is a time to be proactive, please!

  6. Well, Judge Chulu, is just laying the groundwork for the Lesbian Priscilla Mulenga to retreat without losing face. That “man” Priscilla is too corrupt and doesn’t even have shame to do it publicly.
    That Ar.sewhore can’t even run a tender so how we expect her to run a free and fair election.
    Time to eat humble pie for that ka Lesbian with protruding eyes like a sprat. Her reputation is tattered beyond redemption – nobody trusts her anymore except Lungu!!

  7. And the campaign STARTS on 16th May 2016??? Targeting the UPND to cancel their 14th May launch in Kitwe whilst the disaster team will be allowed to hold theirs on 14th!!!!??? Apologies to Bro Kudo if I am whispering carelessly here

    • It is not just Mr. Kudos, but all of us who find the paranoid, baseless rumour spreading and fear mongering by UPND cadres annoying. Atleast you have the courtesy to spologise for running off your mouth/keyboard without evidence.
      These elections will go exactly the way the January 2015 went. Most Zambians feel Edgar is not the causer of the hardships we have recently faced such as shortage in electricity supply, escalating mealie meal prices, low rainfall and a depreciated Kwacha.
      Edgar inherited a troubled treasury from HEMCS (MHSRIEP) due to over spending on in frastructure developments (roads, schools, clinics & hydro-power plants). Within 6 months of taking over a mono-economy dependent on high copper prices, the commodity prices collapsed on the international markets for copper,…

    • @Kasuusu: wriggle as much as you want, Lungu vowed to continue with Sata’s vision. That’s why he did not have his own vision. Now if you are blaming Sata for Zambia’s current quagmire, shouldn’t his sidekick take the brunt of the aftermath? Whether Sata or Lungu, PF have failed to run the country. That’s why
      #ChagwaMustFall

  8. Thank you VJ – you are one in a million.
    You have just played a really big part to stop the rot being perpetuated by the PF minions especially that Lesbian woman called Priscilla Mulenga at ECZ!
    What a patriot VJ is – the opposition were actually sleeping and would have woken up only after the contract have been awarded if it wasnt for him!! You opposition MPs should block the changes Lungu is making in the constitution re: appointment of ECZ officers!! Dont fall asleep again – PF is up to no good!

  9. ECZ should remember they are a public entity and accountable to the people. That unprofessional woman director must be removed first, her actions and arrogance indicates she is compromised and not to be trusted. People are awake and alive to the evil machinations of this evil woman and PF. Get rid of her first before we can move forward. Let people freely choose their leader. If after a very free and fair elections they still want Lungu this majority decision will be respected. But the process must be transparent. And she mustn’t part of it. She is unprofessional and probably a thief.

  10. ECZ has asked all those with evidence to bring it forward n non even said anythng apart from their insistence of why ECZ intends togive the tender to ths Dubai firm, it’s not every year that u will pass no 1 in class in this case it’s not every time that an SA firm can print our ballot papers ..umwana ash enda…..????? Ba nawakwi issues of security be it in elections time or not are never handled that public…ZPPA had not said ECZ has faulted the tendering procedure but that bcoz the other bidders have arisen against the idea of ECZ and in this case like in any bidding it has to be redone so as to clear the air among th bidding partners and the stakeholders………#ECL2016

    • Why can’t ECZ explain to us how they arrived at the decision to recommend the dubai company, that is all we ask.
      If those details are state secretes that them tell us.
      That is all.

  11. Birds have come back home to roost! Campaign period. No use of govt resources! No Mugabe! No Nigerian muslims! 10 rallies per day – with good voice projection. Time of talking. Let us fly again!!!!

  12. Isn’t it time to call for Priscilla Isaacs’ stepping down due to incompetence? What worse incompetence can there be if she cant even adjudicate tenders?

    • I totally agree. ZPPA’s recommendation shows that a clueless and compromised management team is in charge of ECZ.

  13. CALLING ON ALL ZAMBIANS TO BEGIN BOARDING FLIGHT HH. PLEASE SIT TIGHT AND BE READY FOR GOOD FLIGHT FOR A BETTER ZAMBIA. IT APPEARS THE BOAT GOT LOST AND IS SINKING DUE TO THE CAPTAIN BEEN VERY DRUNK AND HAVING NO DIRECTION. THE TIME TO SAVE ZAMBIA FROM DOOM HAS COME.

    • @dull commentator only a devil worshipping suicide bomber like you and your relatives would jump on flight HH which has a record of crash landing 4 times you cretin!

      #HungryHyena(HH)MustFallForThe5thTime

      2016 ECL nafuti

    • @2020Vision. The flight is only for sane and normal Zambians that can see the truth – Zambia is in a bad state. Anyone like you can stay in boat and wait for the next FLIGHT. THE ONLY THING YOU DO IS DEMONIZE A PERSON. WHAT IF I TOLD YOU I WAS AN FDD SUPPORTER BUT WANT A COMPETENT PRESIDENT – WHO AT THIS HAPPENS TO BE HH. LUNGU IS NOT COMPENTENT. PERIOD!!! WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT. ITS A FACT. TELL ME 3 THINGS THAT LUNGU HAS ACHIEVED IN HIS LIFE OTHER THAN DESTROY OUR GREAT NATION. INSTEAD OF FINDING SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS FACING ZAMBIANS HE IS ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT HH. HH IS NOT THE PROBLEMS ZAMBIANS ARE FACING. HE SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT SOLUTIONS EVERYDAY NOT HH OR CAMPAIGNING.

  14. Oh we should weep! It were better, to blind fold all parties, give them a chance to pull out a piece of paper with a printers name from a top hat. The pile with largest numbers wins. Problem is …….who do we get to print the names that go into the hat. Da da dee dum dum…..!

  15. @Chikaaaala, dull commentator, spanka and other members of the ZambianWitchcraftDocuments(ZWD)..you and your other devil worshipping yakumbuyu whores of the hungry hyena have been busy insulting a sitting President now when someone calls a Jack. a.s.s..what it is in this case your daft, evil, devil worshipping hopeless and uninspiring blood thirsty hungry hyena you baby cretins start crying like the cowards you were born to be, hopeless cretins..hopeless, useless animals not fit for any purpose except cowardly throwing stones at passing vehicles at night then running for cover to your Uncle HH’s hairy and fungal infested buthole..
    #HungryHyena(HH)MustFallForThe5thTime
    2016 ECL nafuti

    • Dude, come down, relax and take a deep breath.
      You losing your livelihood from PF looting is not the end of the world. I am quite sure you can find honest employment after the elections, though the money would not be the same as it is now from looting.

    • @19 2020vision: Don’t get a heart attack over nothing. This all politics. It’s what it is. We still need you.

  16. I think Kateka naishibikwa akale! looking at the provisional register released by ECZ. Its a waste of time and energy to argue about where papers should be printed from.

  17. Names of security officers who,where,how,when i think are part of security to be availed now it will be open to bribes,corruption etc.what is important is this information political parties will get them on the polling station during introductions.
    ECZ DO NOT PICK ANY AFRICAN COMPANY PICK CHINESE,ISRAEL NOT WEST

  18. Leave Priscilla Isaacs alone, she has committed no offence and what ZPPA Has done is exactly what Priscilla told you guys, that the bidders who were not satisfied with the selection process should put in their reasons in writing for consideration and perhaps onward submission to the ZPPA. As political parties were not bidders, they were not invited to lodge in complaints but they could make their empty noises through other political channels where they belong. If you don’t understand ZPPA tender procedures go and read, all the information is there for those who have a grade twelve certificate and can read and comprehend. What will happen now is that ECZ will review the tender to see if they went wrong somewhere. If not, then the same Dubai company will be recommended again to ZPPA for a…

  19. What will happen now is that ECZ will review the tender to see if they went wrong somewhere. If not, then the same Dubai company will be recommended again to ZPPA for a ” No Objection”. If there is a problem, ECZ will recommend another printing company period.

    • @Terrible: What an Ar.se you are – that’s why your mother gave you that name! She should have just dumped you in the bin.
      Cant you see that your Lesbian Priscilla Mulenga has just lost all the credibility for mishandling the printing of ballot papers? If she can even competently get a credible printer, how the hell is she going to manage the General Elections? Even Lungu can protest when he loses because Lesbian Priscilla has mishandled the whole process.
      SA was cheaper and is tested, so why Dubai? Corruption and attempted rigging!! That gentleman Priscilla has to go – eating the humble pie is not enough!!

  20. Sealed container enhancement,EIT- enhanced intimidation techniques or intravenous vote therapy aka “vote rigging” is a proprietary African system perfected by Mugabe.

    ECZ and PF please don’t infringe on this Mugabe patent or import it.

  21. This is a welcome devt. ECZ must know that walls have ears and eyes and people of Zambia want a clean election. Who ever wins must will on merit I.e thru a popular vote. For the purpose of this election people and political parties have passed a vote of no confidence in Ms Mulenga Isaac and therefore should reculse herself from directing these elections. This will instill confidence in our electoral system. We also insist that there shall be no manipulation of voters roll, distribution of ballots,counting of votes and announcements of election results.

  22. @amei-tomba et al I’m a hardened educated ex-service man (not a civilian kapokola) that has served from as far back as the mid 80s during KKs time. I’ve never taken a single penny from the current govt or a contract, or received any favours, never been employed as some of you chaps are praying to be but sadly won’t under HH who I know is the wrong person to rule Zambia because I honestly see him causing a civil war in this nation. Just look a ZWD any normal person can see that site means one thing and that is to cause confusion even if it means people dying by disinformation that is fine as long as they creat an impression to dent the PF govt. How can any normal person support people that fund such evil? To hell with you chaps!! #HungryHyena(HH)MustFallForThe5thTime

    • @2020vision

      Try to relax and believe Zambia will be headed skywards and under HH’s economic management. Having the background you have described for yourself, it’s now apparent why you are so virulently against UPND and HH. Serving under KK as a service man you were in the gravy already. You never felt the excruciating, belt-tightening poverty stricken pain, because KK ensured the military never suffered. Unlike now, unbelievable as it is, even soldiers are never factored in Lungu’s survivor math. They are complaining and are as much affected by his incompentency and utter cluelessness of this drinking and jiving president as the rest of the civilian population. Give kachema wa ngombe a chance, it’s his time now! Since you claim you don’t eat from govt, what have you got lose by…

    • Cont’d
      ……supporting HH? Zero. But you will be delighted to see workable policies put in place designed to put Zambia on the right track going places up.

  23. Zambians why blame ecz blame this chap he recommended and what ecz did was follow recommendations.today the chap turns to say something else causing delays and confusion fire this fool for procurrement we have had enough from him concerning many projects

  24. Thank you for those who stood for free & fairness of our elections. If we loose let our party loose in a transparent manner, not with doubt, as this has the potential of setting the nation ablase. Thank you again for saving lives in advance.

  25. ECZ is not going to vote, ECZ cannot make people win or lose the elections. Leave ECZ and stop bringing up excuses before the set election date. If you lose the elections, it means you have lost them by yourself. ECZ does not manufacture votes. We don’t care how many times you will keep losing the elections. Its the decision of the majority Zambians to decide your fate.

    • It’s not the voting that’s democracy; it’s the counting. ~Tom Stoppard, Jumpers

    • It is enough that the people know there was an election. The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything. Joseph

    • Hey fellow interlectuals, each political party sends its own monitors to every election scene. The tricks you keep worrying about wont be there.

  26. Zambians we talk alot and do less work especially rumour mongering, why? we are to lazy.
    Why blame isaac she just followed recommendations from that procurement officer who has now changed very foolish he cant defend his recommendation causing delayments to the process.fire this man he has caused more problems to delay many projects

    • @jkalusa: I hope wherever you are and whatever you do, you have a boss. Because your boss will and must take blame for your mistakes. Delegated authority does not take away accountability from the boss. That’s why the details are not important here. ECZ’s Director is responsible for this fiasco and should be fired. Just as Zambia’s Chakolwa is responsible for the economic meltdown, and therefore
      #ChagwaMustFall

  27. Usd3 million Vs Usd1.5 million, as a businessman which one do you pick, besides the one who has been making the good roads for you all the time, has submitted her bid @ $1.5 million meeting all the specifications experience knowing your terrain, then you say no! I want a $3 million unknown firm, who it’s rumored has messed up roads in other parts of the world, @ uyuwine ! ewufwile aisa bombs, guys we are not kids who will accept any thing in a package which is similar to a muncho pack, Awe twakana, Elyo Parliament should be winding up its business, but we hear they are debating trying to come up with laws on the composition of cabinet, when next Tuesday Parliament dissolves its self,@ the bill has gone into fimo fimo reading, what is the rush, I am not comfortable with proposed…

  28. Contd,……with proposed clauses such as @ ministers will continue in their offices until election day, heck!! with charlatans ministers we have, in abuse of resources all the way, Awe sure, I appeal to Minister of Justice to simmer down, we know the schemes of PF, it’s to come up with surprises, just to protect their jobs, think of the people at large, chanine Zambia the real Africa!!

  29. @ Wise commentator whatever your name, Check your ass properly, if you can’t check your ass, ask your friend to check on you, something is wrong with your ass i suspect! could it be you had prolonged diarrhea from the past weeks? i see no sense in your Rantings, you are just another imbecile following blindly. if u want your HH, don’t involve everyone, how do u know that Zambians want HH when you alone and your tribalism are the ones making noise on social media, let’s see how many Zambians uses social media, you will wake up to a rude shock. Zambians still loves God’s chosen President, he only stood once and there he he is , the chosen one.

    • Don’t give us such nonsense. Chakolwa chose himself with the help of Priscilla Isaacs in January 2015. That’s the last rigging PF will get away with. And if social media is not important, why are PF spending millions of dollars of state funds just in blocking the Zambian Watchdog?

  30. Judge Chulu is when he is waking up from slumber. His mind was rigged by that ugly man in a woman.
    What a shame.
    He should have given his comment a long time ago than issuing stale statements today.
    Bata aba nabo batulo fye mwe.
    He is proving to be the most useless judge and prone to corruption.
    What a rot at ecz.

  31. mukatukanabo tabatuka. emo shacela ninsele. bushe umwana kuti atuka bawishi mwa. temashamo alelomba. alo akutukana tumone nga eku wina ama elections.

  32. Imwe ba UPND, bola panshi, ZPPA has only advised ECZ to review the process and it can still turn out to be that the Dubai printing Company will be the responsive bidder. The problem with UPND is that they are too childish. And what makes you think that the South African company is the one that will be awarded the deal? Why doesnt UPND talk of other companies but this South African company alone, are they they agents to it or have they been promised something we are yet to know?
    So calm down imwe ba mampolyo, ZPPA has not disqualified the Dubai company and the procurement rules are clear; the cheapest bidder is not necessarily the responsive bidder, so mineni amate ’cause nothing will change, the Dubai company period.

  33. Infact if you go back to the 20th January 2015 ballot papers very closely, the presidential print out was more enlarged on UPND’s ugly head and our President picture was smaller. That in itself should be enough to disqualify the South African company because its has been infiltrated by Fat Albert and Under 5.

  34. @Ngoza Reloaded: what you are saying needs a wider audience and should not be left as a side comment from a blogger. I know that PF have no morals and will do anything to gather their nest. Any hint of malfeasance behaviour by PF should be exposed. Please LT follow up the schemes PF are introducing in Parliament to change the Constitution this week. They had 5 years to deal with the Constitution. Why are they now sleeping in Parliament to change the Constitution in the last week of their tenure??? PF ARE EVIL MONSTERS, THESE TRICKSTERS AND FASCISTS. Really
    #ChagwaMustFall

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