THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has announced that the first consignment of ballot papers for the August 13 general election will arrive in Lusaka today at 09:00, with the second and final batch expected on Friday.

The Commission has further commended Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing Company for its efficient and professional handling of the ballot paper printing and dispatch process.

Meanwhile, political stakeholders, who include the Tonse Alliance and Citizens First, have thanked ECZ for allowing them to participate in the printing process from start to finish and for answering questions, including difficult ones throughout the exercise.

Earlier in the day, stakeholders toured the Al Ghurair Printing plant in Dubai for a final inspection, where they watched the last consignment of ballot papers being packed and prepared for shipment to Zambia.

The Commission had earlier this week announced that the first consignments would arrive on Tuesday, July 28, after revising an initial schedule. However, following further adjustments by the air operator, ECZ issued another update confirming that the first consignment would instead arrive on Wednesday, July 29 at 09:00 hours, while the second and final consignment would arrive on Friday, July 31 at 09:00 hours.

Speaking to stakeholders in Dubai after the packaging process was completed, Tuesday, ECZ Commissioner Ambassador Ndiyoi Mutiti said the Commission would continue keeping stakeholders updated as the ballot papers were transported to Zambia.

“The update today highlights the day and time of the arrival of the ballot papers, following a revision to the flight schedule initially announced through a public notice yesterday, 27th July, 2026. The Commission wishes to inform you that the first consignment of ballot papers will arrive in Lusaka on Wednesday, 29th July, 2026, at about 09:00 hours. The last and final consignment will be transported from Dubai on Friday, 31st July, 2026, and will arrive in Lusaka at 09:00 hours. The Commission will continue to update stakeholders and the nation on the next steps as the ballot papers arrive in Lusaka. Further, the Commission would like to thank Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing for the commendable job undertaken in the printing and dispatch process of the ballot papers. The Commission is also grateful for its tireless efforts in ensuring efficiency and professionalism in the ballot paper printing process,” said Ambassador Mutiti.

“In conclusion, the Commission also wishes to acknowledge the stakeholders present here, and those back home, for their continued commitment to monitoring and observing the printing process, which included the printing, packaging and final transportation [of the ballot papers]. The Commission is therefore pleased that together with the stakeholders here in Dubai, it has delivered a transparent process”.

Meanwhile, Tonse Alliance representative Professor Nkandu Luo thanked ECZ for allowing stakeholders to take part in the process.

“Let me, on behalf of our delegation from the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance, thank the Commission for making it possible for us to participate. We have been very hard on you and asked questions, some of them very difficult, but you have always been there to answer these questions. That is the way it should be. We are here for the common good of the Zambian people so that they choose the leader they want to lead them in the next five years. But we just want to thank you,” said Prof Luo.

Representatives of Citizens First and GEARS also thanked ECZ for conducting an open and transparent process, saying that despite representing different interests, stakeholders had worked together in the national interest.