ECZ owes a total of K51 million to various suppliers

The Auditor General’s report on the accounts of Parastatal Bodies and other Statutory Institutions has reviewed that as at 31st August 2017, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) owed a total of K51, 249, 990 to various suppliers of goods and services.

In relation to election materials, the commission owed a total of K50, 950, 940 and as for allowances, the commission owed K299, 050 to officers who were involved in the 2016 election process.

Contrary to Public Stores Regulation No. 16, assorted stores items costing K5, 996, 935 procured during the year under review were unaccounted for in that there were no disposal details.

Imprest in amounts totaling K4, 519, 741 issued to various officers during the period under review remained unretired as of September 2017 contrary to Financial Regulation No 96.

Payments in amounts totaling K9, 172, 678 made during the period under review were unvouched in that they were either unsupported, inadequately supported or the payment vouchers were missing contrary to Financial Regulation No. 45 and 65.

In the same report, amounts totaling K1, 425, 273 involving three transactions were paid to various officers at ECZ Headquarters in Lusaka as overtime without supporting attendance registers and overtime log sheets contrary to Financial Regulation No 81.

The electoral body during the 2016 general elections hired 546 motor vehicles to cater for hauling and transportation of election materials and staff.

A scrutiny on the creditors list revealed that although the various transporters had provided their vehicles and rendered the contracted service to the ECZ as of September 2017, the ECZ still owed transporters a total amount of K7, 465, 126.

The commission during the period under review, disbursed funds amounting to K392, 630, 921 to local authorities in all the ten provinces to conduct voter education, delimitation, presidential polls nominations, training activities and general elections.