Tonse Pamodzi inspects ballots, satisfied

By BARNABAS ZULU

THE Tonse Pamodzi Alliance has expressed satisfaction with the Electoral Commission of Zambia’s ballot paper physical inspection and verification exercise, describing the process as transparent.

In a statement yesterday, its Secretary General Dr Chris Zumani Zimba said the alliance participated in the verification exercise during which ballot boxes from Luapula and North-Western provinces were opened and inspected.

The inspected ballot boxes were from Mwanda Community School Polling Station in Musaba Ward of Mansa East Constituency and Kyangozhi ECZ Church Polling Station in Kibanza Ward of Lumwana Constituency.

Dr Zimba said stakeholders verified the contents of the ballot boxes, which included ballot paper booklets for the presidential, parliamentary, mayor or council chairperson and councillor elections, as well as GEN 20A results forms, voters’ lists, voter registers, mock ballot paper posters and Braille voting assistance materials.

He said the ECZ had informed stakeholders that the distribution of ballot papers to districts would commence on August 2, 2026.

Dr Zimba said the verification exercise was attended by representatives of participating political parties, civil society organisations and the European Union, who were the only international observers present during the exercise.

He also said the alliance observed the arrival of the first consignment of 202 pallets of ballot papers from Dubai through Kenneth Kaunda International Airport before escorting them to the ECZ warehouse in Silverest.

“The alliance also observed the receipt of the second consignment comprising 185 pallets,” Dr Zimba said.

He said following its participation in the inspection and verification exercise, the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance was satisfied with the manner in which the process had been conducted.

“We appreciate the transparency demonstrated during the verification of the ballot materials,” Dr Zimba said.