Placido Hilukilwa
THE Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) is at an advanced stage with the procurement of election materials for the 2025 Regional Councils and Local Authorities elections scheduled for next month.
In a statement issued in Windhoek this afternoon, the ECN’s Chief Electoral and Referenda Officer, Peter Shaama, said that the Commission has commenced with the process of procuring the ballot papers in accordance with relevant provisions of the law.
According to him, the process commenced with the invitation of bids through the Open International Bidding (OIB) process on 16 June, which closed on 28 July. The bid was advertised on ECN social media and website, as well as in three local daily newspapers and the government procurement portal.
The Commission also held a briefing session via Zoom with prospective bidders in July and provided clarity on the bidding requirements and specifications, which was attended by seven prospective bidders.
However, at the close of the bidding period on 28 July, only four international companies had submitted their bids, namely:
- E7 Group United Printing: N$8,385,610.20, including delivery flight cost;
- Shave & Gibson: N$6,073,483.89, including delivery flight cost;
- Ren-Form CC: N$6,528,320.50, including delivery flight cost;
- Uniprint Global: N$4,899,530.00, including delivery flight cost.
“The contract for the production, printing and delivery of the 2025 Regional and Local Authorities elections was awarded to Uniprint Global at a cost of N$4,899,530.00 to print and deliver a total number of 1,817,100 ballots for Regional Councils and 912,700 ballots in respect of the Local Authorities elections,” said Shaama.
Uniprint Global is a South African company based in Durban, with its parent factory in Johannesburg, where printing will be undertaken.
He said that the total budget for the printing of ballot papers was set at N$8,900,000.00. The production of the ballot papers is expected to occur from 22 to 31 October, and the ballot papers are expected to arrive via Hosea Kutako International Airport between 1 and 2 November.
“Over the years,” said Shaama, “the Commission has established stringent criteria to ensure the quality and security of the ballot papers. This includes specifications for paper quality, printing security features, and adherence to international best practices to prevent electoral fraud.”
Shaama said that the Political Party Liaison Committee (PLC) members were kept up to speed about the preparations during engagements in July, September, and again this morning.
Unlike last year, when the ECN carried the costs for the travel, accommodation, and meal expenses for representatives of contesting political parties to observe the production process, this time around contestants who wish to observe the production process will do so at their own cost.
PICTURED: Peter Shaama, ECN’s Chief Electoral and Referenda Officer. Photo: ECN
