IEBC to Appeal Nullificaion of Ballot Printing Tender by High Court

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Wafula Chebukati has said the commission will be appealing Friday’s High Court decision that nullified the presidential ballot papers printing tender awarded to a Dubai-based firm, Al Ghurair.

Chebukati said that the commission had instructed its legal team to appeal the ruling issued by a three judge-bench at the High Court and urged Kenyans to remain calm as the commission endeavors to deliver the August poll.

“The order by the Court was solely based on the reason that there was no public participation during the direct award of the tender to Al Ghurair,” Chebukati said in a statement on Friday night, “This is very novel”. He said in a statement to the media.

“The ruling has far-reaching implications on the elections, given the urgency to prepare for free, fair and credible elections in the next 30 days. The Commission urges all Kenyans to be calm and focused on how we get ready for the elections.”He added.

In its ruling to the case filed by the National Super Alliance (NASA) and Third-way Alliance Presidential candidate Ekuru Aukot, High court said that it found that the electoral commission contravened the constitution requirements by failing to conduct adequate public participation in the awarding of the tender.

“We order that the IEBC commences the procurement process for printing of election materials for presidential elections scheduled for August 8 so as to ensure free, fair and transparent elections,” Justice Joel Ngugi directed.

The bench further found NASA’s argument that President Uhuru Kenyatta had links with Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing Company and influenced the award of the tender as null, as they could not substantiate the claims.