With Zambia voting on Thursday, a disagreement has emerged between the Electoral Commission and the NRPUP over what mark is required for a ballot to be counted valid.
Two Competing Interpretations
The Electoral Commission of Zambia has stated that an “X” is not the only mark capable of producing a valid ballot, provided voter intention is clear. The NRPUP disputes this, pointing to a regulation it says expressly refers to a cross, and is asking ECZ to explain the legal basis for its broader interpretation.
The dispute matters because, with a tight and closely contested race expected, differing standards for what counts as a valid mark could directly affect how ballots are counted and potentially disputed after polls close. As of publication, ECZ has not issued a fuller public clarification resolving the disagreement, leaving the question live just days before voting.
