A statement circulating online, purportedly from the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), claiming that ballot paper deliveries from Dubai had been delayed due to flight adjustments is false. The ECZ has publicly disowned the statement and confirmed that all ballot paper consignments arrived in Zambia as scheduled.
Claim
On 28th July 2026, a Facebook page called “The Candidates” published what appeared to be an official statement from the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ). The statement claimed that flight adjustments had affected the transportation of ballot papers from Dubai to Lusaka on Tuesday, 28th July 2026, but assured stakeholders that the materials would still arrive within the week.
The post sought to give the impression that it was an authentic communication from the Electoral Commission of Zambia.
Note: In line with responsible fact-checking practice to avoid amplifying misinformation, iVerify Zambia has not included a direct link to the misleading post to avoid amplifying false information.
Verdict
FALSE
The Electoral Commission of Zambia did not issue the circulating statement. The Commission publicly disowned it, confirming that the ballot paper consignments arrived in Zambia according to schedule.
Verification
iVerify Zambia reviewed the claim and verified it against official information published by the Electoral Commission of Zambia.
The ECZ re-shared the circulating statement on its verified Facebook page, clearly marking it as FAKE and advising members of the public to disregard it.
The Commission further clarified that:
- The first consignment of ballot papers arrived in Zambia from Dubai on 28th July 2026 as scheduled.
- The second and final consignment also arrived on schedule, completing the delivery of all ballot papers without the delays alleged in the fake statement.
Official updates issued by the ECZ documenting the arrival of both consignments further contradict the false claim that flight adjustments had disrupted the transportation schedule.
Conclusion
The claim that the Electoral Commission of Zambia issued a statement announcing delays in the delivery of ballot papers from Dubai is false. The statement circulating on social media was fabricated and was publicly disowned by the ECZ.
False statements about election logistics can undermine public confidence in the electoral process, create unnecessary anxiety among voters and stakeholders, and fuel misinformation during a critical democratic period. The public is encouraged to rely on official communications from the Electoral Commission of Zambia and other verified sources for accurate election-related information.
Sources
- Electoral Commission of Zambia official Facebook page (statement debunking the fake notice) https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EUgK4cqhv/
- Electoral Commission of Zambia official updates confirming the arrival of the first ballot paper consignment on 29th July 2026https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17osFku5qe/
- Electoral Commission of Zambia official updates announcing the planned arrival of the second and final ballot paper consignment https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16AHXnypXuw/
