President Lungu has nothing to do with ECZ decision on ballot papers – Veep

Vice President Inonge Wina says President Edgar Lungu has nothing to do with the decision by the Electoral Commission of Zambia to print ballot papers for the August 11 elections in Dubai.

Ms. Wina has told Parliament during the vice president’s question time that it is the Electoral Commission of Zambia that makes such decisions following the laid down procedure.

And Ms. Wina says government is ready to hold the August 11 general election alongside the referendum.

Responding to a question raised by Mafinga Member of Parliament Catherine Namugala who wanted to find out if government was ready to hold the elections alongside the referendum, Ms. Wina says the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is working on modalities to hold the two exercises together.

And the Vice president says the recent appreciation of the kwacha is as a result of the austerity measures government has put in place.

She says this is contrary to assertions that the kwacha’s appreciation is as a result of the Bank of Zambia offloading money on the market.

Ms Wina adds that the kwacha’s appreciation is also an indication of renewed investor confidence in the economy.

Meanwhile Ms. Wina says government through the road transport and safety agency has taken a number of measures to reduce the number of road traffic accidents.