Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing Company, a Dubai based printing company has delivered the first batch of ballot papers for the 2021 general elections ahead of scheduled , the Electoral Commission Chairman Justice Simon Byabakama , has said.
” We have witnessed the delivery of the first batch of elections materials, namely, ballot papers and Declaration of Results Forms for Elections of District Woman Representative to Parliament. 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, Byabakama told the media at the airport shortly after the arrival of the elections materials .
He added ; “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. Materials for the five (5) remaining regions is expected within the next few days, which is still within time.”
The EC Chairman said the cost for the delivered election materials is Uganda Shs. 2,536,352,880 (two billion five hundred thirty-six million three hundred fifty-two thousand eight hundred eight), out of the total consignment cost of Uganda Shillings 9,701,600,000 (nine billion seven hundred one million six hundred thousand).
At this point, he 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. The 116 pallets weigh a total of forty (40) tons and have been delivered by Emirates Airlines Flight Number EK 9757 at 6pm,” added
Justice Byabakama said that the EC technical team had embarked on the processes to clear the cargo and deliver it to the elections body’s Stores for safe storage ahead of the packing into the polling kit.
The delivery was observed by agents of political parties and organisations as well as the media.
He further revealed that the Commission had received official confirmation of completion of printing of Ballot Papers and Declaration of Results Forms for Presidential Elections 2021.
“The printer, United Printing and Publishing of Abu Dhabi has confirmed the delivery of these materials on Thursday 10th December 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, Byabakama assured the nation.
Credit: www.ugandaupdatenews.com
