ECZ Refutes False Claims of Pre-Marked Ballots in Transit

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has dismissed allegations contained in a letter from the Tonse Alliance, dated 11th August 2026, which claimed that pre-marked presidential and parliamentary ballot papers for the 13th August 2026 General Elections were in transit through South Africa.

The Commission wishes to reassure the public, political players and all stakeholders that it is not expecting any delivery of ballot papers from South Africa or Dubai. All ballot papers for the 13th August General Elections were received, verified and distributed to their respective polling stations across the country in the presence of political party monitors.

The claims that pre-marked ballots originated from Dubai and were tampered with on South African soil are entirely false, baseless and a calculated attempt to cause unnecessary panic, undermine regional relations and discredit the integrity of the polls.

The ECZ reaffirms its commitment to delivering a transparent and credible election. The Commission urges all political players, and the Tonse Alliance in particular, to act responsibly and to refrain from circulating unverified rumours that could stir public anxiety on the eve of the vote.

The Commission further appeals to citizens to disregard these false reports, which serve only to mislead and alarm. Instead, members of the public are encouraged to turn out in large numbers today, 13th August 2026, to peacefully exercise their democratic right to vote and to place their trust in the established electoral process.