State upholds stance on 2021 ballot papers

Wed, 21 Feb 2018 11:03:28 +0000

By SIMON MUNTEMBA

 GOVERNMENT has maintained that it remains committed to print ballot papers locally using the printing department for the 2021 general elections.

Vice President Inonge Wina said if the printing department meets the specific technical security requirements for undertaking the assignment as well as adherence to the Zambia public procurement regulations, the ballot papers for 2021 would be printed locally.

The Vice president said this yesterday in Parliament during the opening of the second session of the Twelfth assembly.

Responding to a question by Nangoma United Party for National Development (UPND) Member of Parliament, Boyd Hamusonde, who wanted to know whether government had any plans to print ballot papers for the 2021 general elections locally, Ms Wina said ballot papers are highly sensitive thus stringent measures should be put in place.

“Yes it is government’s plans to print ballot papers locally using the government printing department for the 2021 general elections, provided the department would meet the specific technical and security requirements for undertaking the assignment as well as adherence to the Zambian public procurement regulations,” Ms Wina said.

She however, disclosed that government had since instituted a technical committee to oversee the capitalisation of the government printing department to ensure it meets the strict technique specifications and security requirements to undertake the assignment.

Ms Wina explained that the committee will continue monitoring the progress been made by the government printing department in terms of capacity and readiness to undertake the printing of ballot papers for the 2021 general elections.