The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has opened up over the ongoing preparations ahead of the August 9, general election.
In a detailed communication to the media, the commission has tried to unpack the puzzle which has surrounded the printing of ballot papers.
This follows fears by Kenyans that the election could be compromised.
So far 65.2 million ballots out of the total 132 million in the Commission’s warehouse along Likoni Road in Nairobi. These are contained in 143,821 boxes and wrapped in 1,994 pallets.
IEBC
The communication came at a time Kenyans have been questioning the opaqueness in the commission’s preparation process.
Last week, the commission was at loggerheads with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations following arrest of Venezuelans who were found with electoral material.
The exchange between the commission and DCI exposed hidden dealings which saw Kenyans question the processes.
Oversee printing
But the commission has finally come out to explain its position in terms of the ongoing processes, complete with timelines.
The communication also came after the delegation that had traveled to Greece to monitor the process of printing ballot papers jetted back to the country.
According to the communication, the delegation toured Inform Lykos (Hellas) SA to oversee the printing of ballot papers.
On their return on Wednesday, the delegation accompanied the first batch of the presidential ballot papers wrapped in 225 pallets.
The commission said a total of 865 presidential ballot papers pallets will be ferried in for the General Election exercise using both private cargo planes and commercial airlines.
The second batch of Presidential Ballot papers of 300 pallets is expected to arrive in Nairobi on July 29, 2022 while the final consignment of 340 pallets will arrive on 3rd August.
Lykos company profile
IEBC noted that during the visit, the monitoring delegation was taken through detailed profile of the Inform Lykos (Hellas) SA company.
They were also taken through the variety of products the company deals with in other countries including printing of bank credit cards, visa credit cards, issuing pin numbers for bank cards, drug authentication labels, excise stamps, ballot papers, smart ticketing, lottery coupons, graduate certificates, bills and statements.
The communication stated that the monitoring delegation inspected the security features imprinted on the ballot papers and witnessed the printing and packaging of ballot papers into booklets, boxes, palettes and labelling ready for shipment.
“They also verified the security features on the statutory documents printed that will accompany the ballots to the polling stations,” the statement read in part.
The delegation was also shown how Inform Lykos (Hellas) SA company destroys damaged ballot papers, a process that they carry out daily by use of huge shredding machines.
Tracking system
The company has an elaborate pallet tracking safety system, where pallets are given codes that track them from the factory press in Athens to cargo planes and delivery in JKIA and all the way to IEBC warehouse and constituencies,” the statement proceeded.
It went on; “So far 65.2 million ballots out of the total 132 million in the Commission’s warehouse along Likoni Road in Nairobi. These are contained in 143,821 boxes and wrapped in 1,994 pallets.”
So far 65.2 million ballots out of the total 132 million in the Commission’s warehouse along Likoni Road in Nairobi. These are contained in 143,821 boxes and wrapped in 1,994 pallets
IEBC
“Today’s consignment of Presidential ballot papers is meant for 18 counties being Mombasa (19 pallets), Kwale (14), Kilifi (20), Tana River (8), Lamu (4), Taita Taveta (6), Garissa (10), Wajir (6), Marsabit (10), Isiolo (5), Meru (27), Tharaka Nithi (9), Embu (14), Kitui (27), Machakos (18), Makueni (12), Nyandarua (8) and Nyeri (8)
In each pallet, the commission noted that there are about 54 boxes for a constituency, and it represents one elective post.
The monitoring delegation announced that they are impressed and satisfied that the printing process is properly executed, and the control checks put in place are sufficient to safeguard the integrity of the ballot.