By OLIVER SAMBOKO
GOVERNMENT Printers should be recapitalised to develop capacity for printing of ballot papers for future elections, says the Zambia National Men’s Network for Gender and Development.
National Coordinator Nelson Banda, said it was uneconomical for the country to continue printing ballot papers abroad at a huge cost when Government Printers was there and only requires capital injection to operate commercialy.
He said while printing of ballot papers outside the country was seen as a solution to enhancing credibility, Government should be mindful that this was not the best solution because of the huge costs involved.
Mr Banda said the $3.6 million spent on the printing of ballot papers in Dubai for the August 12 general elections, could have benefitted the social sector in health, education, water and sanitation.
“There is need for the new government to make Zambians proud by building the capacity for Government Printers so that ballot papers for future elections and other materials are printed locally in order to save resources,” Mr Banda said.
He added that building local capacity for printing of ballot papers would immensely benefit as funds could be directed towards creating jobs for young people.
Mr Banda also called on newly elected and re-elected Members of Parliament, especially those in opposition to avoid defections, which were costly to the taxpayers in by-elections.
By OLIVER SAMBOKO
GOVERNMENT Printers should be recapitalised to develop capacity for printing of ballot papers for future elections, says the Zambia National Men’s Network for Gender and Development.
National Coordinator Nelson Banda, said it was uneconomical for the country to continue printing ballot papers abroad at a huge cost when Government Printers was there and only requires capital injection to operate commercialy.
He said while printing of ballot papers outside the country was seen as a solution to enhancing credibility, Government should be mindful that this was not the best solution because of the huge costs involved.
Mr Banda said the $3.6 million spent on the printing of ballot papers in Dubai for the August 12 general elections, could have benefitted the social sector in health, education, water and sanitation.
“There is need for the new government to make Zambians proud by building the capacity for Government Printers so that ballot papers for future elections and other materials are printed locally in order to save resources,” Mr Banda said.
He added that building local capacity for printing of ballot papers would immensely benefit as funds could be directed towards creating jobs for young people.
Mr Banda also called on newly elected and re-elected Members of Parliament, especially those in opposition to avoid defections, which were costly to the taxpayers in by-elections.
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