Central procurement board distances itself from controversial N$6.2 million ballot printing tender amid political backlash

The Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) has distanced itself from the controversial ballot paper printing tender the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has awarded a South African company.

The tender board’s chief executive, Idi Itope, yesterday said this tender falls outside the CPBN’s scope.

In a press briefing, Itope said the tender’s value does not meet the threshold required for the CPBN’s oversight.

According to an official ECN response, the tender value was about N$6.2 million.

“It’s important to understand the process. If a bid falls within the threshold of a public entity, it is entirely managed by that entity.

“The N$6.2-million bid falls well within ECNs internal procurement mandate, meaning there’s no legal obligation for the Central Procurement Board to oversee or approve it,” said Itope.

Earlier this month, the ECN cancelled its open bidding process for the printing of ballots, citing fears that delays caused by potential objections to the tender could jeopardise preparations for the elections.

On 17 October, the electoral body awarded the N$6.2-million contract to Ren-Form CC, a South African-based company.

Ren-Form CC is expected to design and print over 1.6 million ballot papers, including a 10% contingency, at a cost of N$3.90 per ballot.

The decision has, however, been met with heavy criticism from several political parties who have called for the cancellation of the tender.

Ren-Form CC is facing corruption claims in Zimbabwe.

Opposition parties have called on the commission to withdraw the tender and launch a public procurement process, which they argue would be more transparent.

ECN chief executive Peter Shaama on Friday defended the tender awarded to Ren-Form CC, saying the company boasts a solid track record of printing ballot papers for over 70 elections on the continent in the past 20 years.

He said the procurement process for the ballot papers was conducted in strict adherence to the Public Procurement Act, No. 15 of 2015.

“We emphasise that the authority to make procurement decisions lies solely with the commission and not with any contesting political party or external influence.

“Attempts to suggest otherwise are entirely false and meant to distract from the real issue – ensuring the timely and secure preparation of our national election,” Shaama said.

The ECN’s delegation of 18 political parties contesting in the presidential and National Assembly elections departed for South Africa on Sunday to observe the production of the ballot papers.

Meanwhile, academic Joseph Diescho yesterday said the ECN has been found wanting and incapable of adhering to the standards it is expected to uphold.

“The commission’s close relationship with the ruling party, its recent faulty interpretation of rules governing political parties’ eligibility and the current fiasco regarding the lack of transparency in appointing the company to print the ballot papers are clear indications of lack of credibility. There is trouble in the air leading up to 27 November,” she said.

Diescho said under such circumstances, the outcome of the process it is overseeing would not be trusted.

“This is a serious matter that cannot be ignored. In this regard, it is regrettable that the many opposition parties did not support the call by the leader of the official opposition to express outrage about the ECNs conduct,” he said.

He called out the 18 political parties which jetted off to South Africa to monitor the ballot printing process amid the concerns being raised.

“It is a shame that our opposition leaders are so unserious to the extent that they are unable to stand together in defence of democracy and what is good for the nation,” Diescho said.