The first batch of ballot papers for Zambia's 2026 General Election is still on course to arrive in Lusaka on Sunday, 26 July, after the Electoral Commission of Zambia announced that printing work in Dubai is now nearing completion.
Speaking during an update to stakeholders at Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing in Dubai, ECZ Commissioner Ambassador Ndiyoi Mutiti said the Commission was pleased with the progress made, with only the final packaging and dispatch stages remaining.
She was accompanied by Commissioner Mcdonald Chipenzi.
According to Commissioner Mutiti, all 9.1 million presidential ballot papers have now been printed. Printing has also been completed for all 8,854,300 National Assembly ballot papers covering 217 constituencies, all 8,628,350 mayoral and council chairperson ballot papers for 110 districts, and all 8,399,850 local government ballot papers for Zambia's 1,672 wards.
In total, 35,000,800 ballot papers have been printed for the 2026 General Election.
The Commission also confirmed that ballot papers were not printed for eight constituencies where candidates were elected unopposed. In addition, no ballot papers have been produced for Lumezi North Constituency following the death of a candidate.
Commissioner Mutiti said the delivery schedule remains unchanged, with the first flight expected to depart Dubai on 26 July and arrive in Lusaka later the same day.
She assured political parties, civil society organisations, churches, security agencies, the media and the public that the Commission would continue conducting the final packaging and dispatch process transparently.
Commissioner Mutiti thanked all stakeholders who have monitored and verified the printing process from the beginning, saying their participation has helped strengthen transparency throughout the exercise.
She added that the Electoral Commission remains committed to conducting the entire electoral process in an open, inclusive and accountable manner.