The first batch of ballot papers to be used in the August 9 General Election will arrive in the country today. This is according to Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman, Wafula Chebukati.
Speaking on Thursday, July 7, Chebukati stated that the Commission will receive the first batch from the assigned printer.
He went ahead to state that the ballot papers will be kept in a safe house to avoid tampering and interference with any electoral materials.
He went ahead to dismiss reports that some ballot papers would be delivered from Uganda.
"Today we will receive a number of ballot papers and they are not from Uganda or some funny place, they are secure for the election, there is nothing like extra ballot papers like some politicians have claimed," stated Chebukati.
"Let us stop misinforming Kenyans and have a peaceful election."
Chebukati added that the printed ballot papers have been secured with special features.
"We are only going to print ballot papers to the tune of 22,120,258, which is the number of registered voters per every elective seat - there is no additional ballot papers. They are serialized, have security features and are specific to that station," he stated.
Chebukati further refuted claims that the issuance of the tender to a Greek firm tasked with printing the ballot papers was marred with controversies.
"I want to confirm to you that IEBC is an independent institution. We do our work without fear or favour in accordance with the law. We are not directed by any individual or authority," he stated.
Azimio la Umoja secretariat led by Suna East Member of Parliamen, Junet Mohamed, had earlier on alleged that Bungoma Senator, Moses Masika Wetangula, had met with officials from Greek company, Inform Lykos (Hellas) SA Holdings.
However, through a statement, Wetangula dispelled the reports maintaining that he has never met with officials from the ballot papers printers.
"If any letters were written on letterheads indicating they are from the Bungoma Senator’s office, they must be forgeries. I have never written such letters. I do not, and I repeat, I do not know the three foreigners being referred to," his statement read in part.
The Greek company was in October 2021 awarded the tender to supply and deliver ballot papers, a printed register of voters, statutory election result declaration forms and election result declaration forms.
