The printing of ballot papers for the August 13, 2026, general elections has commenced today in Dubai, United Arab Emirates as scheduled despite some political stakeholders not showing up to witness the process.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has decided to go ahead with the commencement of the printing of election material due to time constraints.
ECZ Chief Electoral Officer, Brown Kasaro, said the Commission had given ample time for all political stakeholders to send their representatives to Dubai to witness the whole process of printing ballot papers.
“Due to time constraints, we are unable to wait for any other stakeholders, so the printing starts today as scheduled,” he said.
Mr Kasaro confirmed that so far two agents of presidential candidates are in Dubai while four (4) others are being awaited to join the team in the United Arab Emirates.
He said the verification process of details for presidential candidates has been successful, noting that the Commission will now be proceeding with the verification of details of National Assembly candidates.
On the withdrawal of presidential candidates, Mr Kasaro said the ECZ had no legal mandate to remove individuals who opted to pull out from the presidential race hence the printing of ballot paper would proceed as scheduled without any alterations.
The ECZ Chief Electoral Officer further explained that the Commission had not received any communication regarding the said withdrawal of Democratic Union (DU) presidential candidate, Ackim Njobvu from the race.
“We cannot rely on rumours. As far we are concerned, there is no official communication,” Mr Kasaro said.
And the two political party stakeholders who are witnessing the printing of ballot papers in Dubai, said they were satisfied with the verification process of their presidential candidates and were now looking forward to other processes.
Wiseman Chauluka, who is representing independent presidential candidate, Given Katuta, praised ECZ for the transparent process exhibited so far.
And Bob Sakahilu, who is representing President Hakainde Hichilema, told ZANIS that he was satisfied with the manner in which ECZ was conducting the verification process.
A total of 14 presidential candidates will appear on the ballot papers that are being printed by Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing Company, a Dubai based printing firm.
The presidential candidates include Kelvin Fube of Zambia Must Prosper (ZMP), Given Katuta of Movement for Economic Emancipation (MEE), Xavier Chungu of Liberal Democrat Party (LDP), Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development (UPND) and Harry Kalaba of Citizens First (CF).
Others are Howard Kunda of Zambia We Want Party (ZAWAPA), Fred M’membe of Socialist Party (SP), Brian Mundubile of National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP), Brian Mushimba of Organised People’s Party (OPP) and Ackim Njobvu of Democratic Union (DU).
The rest are Daniel Pule of Christian Democratic Party (CDP), Richwell Siamunene of New Focus Party (NFP) and Richard Silumbe of Leadership Movement (LM).
On August 13, 2026, eligible Zambians will cast their votes in Presidential, National Assembly, Mayoral, Council Chairperson and Ward Councillor elections.
