The Electoral Commission of Zambia ( ECZ) has confirmed the reprinting of ballot papers for the upcoming Lumezi Parliamentary by-election following the omission of a United Party for National Development (UPND) candidate’s surname on the original batch.
The reprinted ballots are expected to arrive in the country this afternoon, ahead of the by-election scheduled for tomorrow 26th June 2025.
In a statement released today, Chief Electoral Officer Brown Kasaro said the error was discovered yesterday and immediate corrective action was taken in line with the Electoral Process Act and relevant regulations.
The reprinted ballot papers are scheduled to arrive in Zambia at 14:30 hours aboard an Emirates flight via Kenneth Kaunda International Airport. Political parties and stakeholders have been invited to witness their arrival.
Despite the last-minute correction, the Commission has assured the public that the by-election will proceed as planned.
“Accordingly, the ballot papers have since been reprinted in order to facilitate a free and fair election and to ensure that the design of the ballot paper complies with Sections 51 and 52 of the Electoral Process Act No. 35 of 2016, and Regulation 27(2) of the Electoral Process (General) Regulations, 2016.
The Commission remains committed to ensuring transparency, accountability, and the integrity of the electoral process,” said Kasaro.