ECZ DISMISSES CLAIMS OF PRE-MARKED BALLOTS ENROUTE SOUTH AFRICA.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has firmly rejected claims that pre-marked presidential and parliamentary ballot papers are currently in transit through the Republic of South Africa. The allegations, which surfaced via a widely circulated letter from the Tonse Alliance, threatened to cast a shadow of doubt over the credibility of the upcoming national polls. In response, the electoral management body moved swiftly to calm public anxieties and reinforce trust in the democratic process. Speaking during an emergency briefing in Lusaka, senior ECZ officials dismissed the claims as entirely baseless, false, and designed to cause unwarranted panic among voters. The commission clarified that no ballot paper consignments are expected from South Africa or Dubai, emphasizing that all procurement, printing, and logistical handling of sensitive election materials are executed under stringent security measures and transparent protocols involving accredited political party monitors and international observers. According to the commission, all legitimate ballot papers required for the elections have already been received, verified, and successfully distributed to their designated polling stations across the country's ten provinces. Representatives of various political parties and independent civic society watchdogs were reportedly present during the verification and dispatch phases, ensuring a verifiable chain of custody from central warehouses down to local distribution centers. Legal experts and governance stakeholders have praised the ECZ for its prompt and unequivocal response, noting that timely communication is vital in curbing the rapid spread of election-related misinformation on digital platforms. Under the provisions of the Zambian electoral framework, strict statutory safeguards govern the importation, storage, and deployment of election materials, making unauthorized alterations or the introduction of foreign ballots practically unfeasible. As the nation c