IEBC: First Batch Of Presidential Ballot Papers Arrive In The Country

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul, 27 – With just 12 days to go before the August 9 polls, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) oversaw the arrival of the first batch of the presidential ballot papers at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

Senior officials at the poll body were on standby to receive the consignment from Greece.

Amid tight security, the consignment aboard Egypt Air Cargo plane consisted of 225 pallets.

The commission is now awaiting two more batched that will be delivered by Inform P Lykos, the firm awarded the tender according to IEBC vice chairperson Juliana Cherera.

“The process of printing the ballot papers is still ongoing in Athens, and the remaining pallets will be delivered in two phases. 300 pallets are set to arrive on July 29, and the final consignment of 345 pallets to arrive on August 3, days before Kenyans go to the polls,” Cherera said.

The commission meanwhile also sought to allay fears that the exercise has been compromised assuring Kenyans of a free and fair election.

No excess ballot papers will also be printed, the commission stated.

“However, the team takes note of the printer’s concern, especially on the late court ruling that delayed the printing schedule. The company had planned the last delivery date would be on July 29, 2022. However, due to the court ruling delay, the final delivery date will be August 3,” she said..

A team from the poll body alongside other institutions visited toured Athens, Greece where the ballot papers are being printed.

Meanwhile, the diaspora ballot papers are expected to first be ferried to Nairobi before being distributed to their various destinations in the 12 foreign countries where the voting exercise will take place.