You can pick local firm to supply presidential ballot papers, candidates tell IEBC

 

Jubilee representative Aden Duale and his NASA counterpart Johnstone Muthama chat after meeting with IEBC officials on the printing of presidential ballot paper in Nairobi, yesterday. [Photo by Beverlyne Musili, Standard]

Presidential candidates have asked the electoral agency to consider local firms for the contract of printing ballot papers.

But Jubilee said the party had no interest in who gets the contract, arguing it was wrong for political parties to direct the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

The National Super Alliance (NASA), Thirdway Alliance and Alliance for Real Change candidates said the agency can consider anyone for the printing of presidential ballot papers following last week’s nullification of the one awarded to Dubai-based Al Ghurair by the high court. At a consultative forum convened by IEBC in Nairobi, the candidates said the agency would have the final say on who will print the ballot papers.

Hold consultations

IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati met the presidential candidates in line with Friday’s ruling that directed the commission to hold public consultations before awarding the tender. With just 27 days left to election day, Siaya Senator James Orengo believes IEBC has enough time to identify a suitable supplier.

“Printing is a very old craft, it’s not new. It was done more than 500 years ago and we can’t pretend its rocket science. If we Kenyan people have confidence in ourselves, we have that technology here at home and we can do it. Even the money in our pockets is printed here and it’s legal tender,” he said. Thirdway Alliance candidate Ekuru Aukot said: “Our preference... is that we consider local industries.”

Alliance for Real Change candidate Abduba Dida amused the meeting by suggesting that if both NASA and Jubilee do not agree, they can be given an opportunity to split the contract.