Statement On Printing Ballot Papers Locally
Zambian DNA welcomes the Vice-Republican President Inonge Mutukwa Wina’s recent pronouncement that Government intends to print ballot papers for 2021 elections locally so long as the earmarked Government Printers meet the specific technical and security concerns for undertaking such a massive assignment.
Indeed, printing ballot papers locally would be cheaper and cost effective as well as save Government colossal sums of dollars spent on buying such services from foreign-based printing firms.
The contract to print ballot papers, if awarded to Government Printers, would enable the Government-owned printing institution to earn enough revenues to be able to modernize its printing equipment, and create jobs for many Zambians who are roaming the streets without jobs.
Further, this is the dream of many election stakeholders and every patriotic Zambian to see local printing firms empowered by awarding those contracts to print ballot papers than foreign –based firms, which only create jobs in foreign countries.
However, we are appalled by United Party for National Development (UPND)’s move to oppose Government’s good plans alleging that Government wants to use the locally -based printer to rig elections or manipulate the elections.
The UPND has in the past often opposed the printing of ballot papers by foreign-based printing firms on similar flimsy grounds. It seems the opposition UPND does not want Government to either use Government Printers to print ballot papers locally or foreign-based printing firms.
The opposition UPND’s stance to oppose Government‘s good plans to cut the cost of printing ballot papers without providing an alternative idea is retrogressive to say the least.
The opposition party’s stance also exposes their lack of concern for the plight of the majority Zambians whose welfare Government could not improve for lack of resources.
However, the millions of dollars Government would save from printing ballot papers locally will help Government improve the majority Zambians’ welfare, and provide the much-needed social services.
We advise the opposition parties to refrain from criticizing everything Government does and says even when they fully know its benefits to the majority Zambians.
We urge all patriotic Zambians to support Government’s good plans to save millions of dollars spent on printing ballot papers abroad by printing them locally, and ignore the ranting of the opposition UPND.
We are also appealing to Government not lend their ears to such detractors, and implement their good ideas such as printing ballot papers locally so long as Government Printers addresses the technical and security concerns for undertaking such an assignment.
Issued by:
ZAMBIAN DNA SPOKES PERSON
SPUKI MULEMWA
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