07/08/2026
BALLOT PAPER OFFLOADING DELAYED, POLICE FIRE TEARGAS TO DISPERSE CROWD IN KABWE
With only six days to go before the August 12 General Elections, the delivery of ballot papers for the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government elections has continued in various parts of the country. In Kabwe, the ballot papers arrived this evening, but the offloading was delayed by nearly two hours after opposition political parties, particularly members of the NRPUP, raised objections over the security seal on the truck carrying the ballot papers, saying it did not have the seal they were expecting.
The issue was eventually resolved and the ballot papers were offloaded under the supervision of election officials and stakeholders. However, shortly after the offloading, violence broke out between supporters of political parties present at the Kabwe Civic Centre. NRPUP members were visibly dressed in blue, while UPND supporters were clad in red. Witnesses allege that NRPUP supporters were the first to throw stones, prompting retaliation from UPND supporters and resulting in an exchange of stones. Police responded by firing tear gas to disperse the crowd and restore order.
The incident comes as the Electoral Commission of Zambia continues the nationwide distribution of ballot papers ahead of the August 12 General Elections. Political parties and their supporters have been urged to exercise restraint and uphold peace throughout the electoral process