The Editor Zambia
The insinuation by veteran politician Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika and Tonse Alliance presidential spokesperson George Chisanga that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is undermining the electoral process by not sponsoring political parties’ representatives to observe the printing of ballot papers in Dubai is erroneous, misleading, and misguided.
According to the two Tonse Alliance members, the move not to sponsor political party representative raises concerns about transparency and fairness, arguing that political parties may be disadvantaged due to lack of financial resources to send representatives. 
This reasoning is fundamentally flawed, misleading, and lacking a factial basis. Such misguided commentary from senior citizens only serves to distort public perception and fuel unnecessary tension in the country. This reasoning is for the purposes of gaining political mileage only.
On Monday, the ECZ announced that participating political parties will be required to sponsor themselves to observe the printing of ballot papers in Dubai ahead of the August 13 elections.
Akashambatwa and Chisanga should be reminded that it is not the duty of ECZ to sponsor political parties to observe the printing of ballot papers.
It is not the responsibility of the ECZ to fund monitors on poll day. The electoral body ends at accrediting party representatives, observes, etc.
Akashambatwa and Chisanga are merely politicking. Memory will serve the two by recalling that in 2021, the ECZ never sponsored political parties to monitor ballot paper printing.
In particular, Chisanga, who is former Law Association of Zambia, should not be taken seriously by any well-meaning Zambian. It is not the duty of ECZ to sponsor political parties to observe printing of ballot papers, let alone voting.
It is also unfortunate for a senior citizen like Akashambatwa to give an interview containing remarks that are grossly inaccurate and appear calculated to confuse and mislead the public.
Political commentators say it is disappointing to see once respected citizens such as Akashambatwa lending credibility to misinformation.
Akashambatwa’s argument on straightforward matter is a well calculated. It is a plan B strategy aimed at creating a perception that erodes trust in public institutions to fuel confusion among citizens.
Akashambatwa is playing double standards. The same thing Akashambatwa saw as good in 2021, he now sees it as wrong because it concerns his friendly forces in opposition. He is now wearing new lenses.
Akashambatwa is a senior citizen and he should behave like one. Its time he avoids taking sides on national issues. He should be above board.
The ECZ has not stopped political parties from travelling to observe the printing of ballot papers. The electoral body simply has no money to sponsor political parties.
A serious and functional political party should not fail to sponsor its presidential candidate for essential processes such as ballot paper printing.
The ECZ deserves credit for enforcing the rules consistently and maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.
The role of the ECZ is to run the elections in the country.It is not the responsibility of the ECZ to fund political parties to go and oversee the printing of ballot papers.