The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has revised the schedule for the arrival of ballot papers for the 2026 General Election following changes to the charter flight programme.
In a statement, ECZ Corporate Affairs Manager Patricia Luhanga says the first consignment of ballot papers, which had been expected to arrive on today Sunday, July 26, will now arrive on the morning of Monday, July 27, through Kenneth Kaunda International Airport. The exact arrival time will be communicated later.
Ms. Luhanga says the Commission was informed by the charter company that the aircraft scheduled to deliver the first consignment on Sunday would no longer operate due to an operational change to the flight programme.
She explains that the first flight will carry ballot paper consignments that had originally been scheduled for delivery on both Sunday and Monday.
ECZ says subsequent flights will continue as planned, with ballot paper deliveries expected daily until Friday, July 31.
Following the revised arrival schedule, the ballot paper verification exercise involving political parties and other stakeholders will now begin on Tuesday, July 28, at 10:00 hours at the ECZ Silverest Warehouse.
The Commission says all other arrangements remain unchanged, adding that registered political parties, civil society organisations, faith-based organisations, and the media are expected to witness the receipt and verification of the ballot papers in line with established procedures aimed at ensuring transparency.
By Mulenga Chipampe Makasa
