IEBC to appeal presidential ballot papers printing tender ruling

The Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) says that it will appeal Friday, July 8 High Court ruling that saw the cancellation of the presidential election ballot papers printing tender awarded to Dubai-based firm, Al Ghurair Printing Company.

In their ruling, the three-judge bench led by Justice Joel Ngugi ordered IEBC to identify a new supplier to print the ballot papers for the presidential vote.

While addressing the press on Saturday, July 8, 2017, IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati said that the Commission will initiate a fresh presidential tender but will appeal to seek direction on public participation.

The electoral body chair, however, indicated that the commission will comply with the court ruling on public participation on procurement further inviting members of the public to submit Memoranda on procurement of presidential ballot papers by Tuesday, July 11, 2017.

The Commission also announced that they will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, July 12.

“The commission wishes to assure Kenyans that its making all efforts to ensure that all processes are in place to deliver a free and credible election come August 8,” said Chebukati.

The poll body further announced a meeting with all presidential candidates on Monday, July 9 over the Presidential ballot tender row.

The Commission was also keen to affirm the members of the public that IEBC is independent and its commissioners are not working under any external pressure.

Chebukati who was reacting to claims that the IEBC ICT Director, James Muhatia, was suspended and later reinstated following a directive from external forces, claims the poll body refutes.

“The commission is independent and doesn’t operate on the winds of others from outside and we do our work without external forces,” said Chebukati.