Ezra Chiloba: CORD lied to court on ballot tender

IEBC Chief executive officer Ezra Chiloba

The electoral agency has accused the Opposition of lying to get court orders stopping the Sh2.4 billion tender for ballot boxes.

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chief executive officer Ezra Chiloba swore that CORD did not present true facts relating to their preparations for next year's elections.

"The misconception of CORD is that the general election, to be held in August 2017, will be wholly electronic. The election shall be substantially manual in the sense that physical ballot papers are still required for the exercise," said Chiloba.

SIGNED CONTRACT

Mr Chiloba defended the tendering process, saying his agency complied with all regulations before signing a contract with Al Ghuraiar Printing and Publishing Company.

He added that the new electoral laws that CORD relied on to challenge the contract with the Duabi-based firm came into effect on October 4, when they had already signed the contract in September.

In any event, Mr Chiloba argued, the same tender had been challenged before the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board, which certified that the process was above board.

"We have never acted irrationally, unreasonably or in bad faith but in accordance with the Constitution and procurement laws. It is, therefore, inappropriate to question our choice of procurement through a judicial review application at the High Court," swore Chiloba.