The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has terminated the contract with South African Company, Ren Form CC, a company contracted to take up the printing of election materials for the 2026 General elections and other materials due to the recommended bidder’s failure to comply with the actions required by the solicitation document that is in line with Section 180 (4) of the Public Procurement Regulation.

This decision was revealed by the Chief Electoral Officer, Brown Kasaro, during a press briefing held in Lusaka.

Mr Kasaro explained that a decision to award a contract does not constitute a contract and that the procuring entity may proceed to award the contract to the next ranked bidder where the recommended bidder fails to comply with an action required by the solicitation document.  

Mr Kasaro disclosed that the next ranked bidder, Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing of United Arab Emirates has since been awarded the 3-year contract to print and deliver ballot papers and other election materials in a contract that was signed on January 10th, 2025.

In addition to the announcement regarding the tender, Mr Kasaro disclosed that the Electoral Commission of Zambia will embark on a 60-day mass or countrywide voter registration exercise that will commence in the second quarter of 2025. 

Mr Kasaro added that the exercise forms part of the commission’s ongoing commitment to ensuring an inclusive and comprehensive voter registration process, aimed at empowering all eligible Zambians to participate in elections.

He added that the Continuous Registration of Voters initiative that the commission is currently conducting in 30 districts nationwide is also a crucial component of the electoral process, as it allows eligible citizens to register and update their voter information regularly.