The first batch of ballot papers was received by the Electoral Commission on Wednesday, ahead of January 14, 2021, General elections in the country.
In a statement issued by the EC Chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi says, “This first delivery has been made by Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing Company based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This firm won the contract for Lot 2 of the ballot papers for the General Elections”
“This delivery comprises 116 pallets which contain ballot papers for districts falling in seven (7) electoral regions, namely Kampala, South West, Central South, Elgon, Karamoja, Norther and West Nile,” he explained.
“Materials for the five remaining regions is expected within the next few days, which is still within time,” Byabakama explained, in a press conference, after receiving the ballot papers at Entebbe International Airport.
He added, “The cost for the delivered election materials is Uganda sh2,536,352,880 out of the total consignment cost of Uganda sh 9,701,600,000. At this point, I wish to acknowledge the fact that Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing Company has delivered ahead of schedule. We are indeed impressed by the timely production and delivery of the election materials.”
Byabakama added that the 116 pallets weigh a total of 40 tons and were delivered by Emirates Airlines Flight Number EK 9757 at 6:00pm. “Our technical team has already commenced with processes to clear the cargo and deliver it to our stores for safe storage ahead of packing into the polling kit,” he added.
The delivery was observed by agents of some political parties and organisations as well as the media.
In addition to the above, the Commission has received official confirmation of completion of printing of ballot papers and declaration of results forms for the Presidential Elections 2021.
Byabakama says that the printer, United Printing and Publishing of Abu Dhabi has confirmed the delivery of these materials on Thursday December 10, 2020 at 13:15 hours, on Emirates Flight 9865.
“These deliveries are a positive indicator of the progress of implementation of critical and final preparations for polling for the 2021 General Elections. This is indeed a sign of our readiness to deliver the elections as scheduled,” he added.
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