ECN secures 2.7m ballots at N$4.9m ahead of polls

More than 2.7 million ballot papers, valued at N$4.9 million, have been printed and delivered to Namibia ahead of the 26 November elections.Announcing the development at Election House in Windhoek, ECN chief electoral officer Peter Shaama said the ballot papers – 1 815 100 for regional councils and 920 400 for local authorities – were produced and delivered by Uniprint Global of South Africa after an open international bidding process.“The contract for the production, printing and delivery of the 2025 regional councils and local authorities elections was awarded to Uniprint Global at a cost of N$4 899 530 to print and deliver the ballot papers,” Shaama confirmed. The procurement of ballot papers was carried out under the Public Procurement Act No. 15 of 2015.The open international bidding process was launched on 16 June and closed on 28 July.Shaama said seven local and five international companies bought bid documents, but only four international bidders submitted final tenders.The bids received were as follows: E7 Group United Printing – N$8.38 million; Shave & Gibson – N$6.07 million; Ren-Form CC – N$6.53 million; and Uniprint Global – N$4.9 million.Uniprint’s bid, which included production and air-delivery costs, was the most competitive and met all quality and security criteria, ECN said.Printing and verificationDesign and production of the ballot papers began on 21 and 22 October, followed by verification and sign-off by authorised representatives of 21 political parties, 23 organisations or associations and 68 independent candidates between 22 and 23 October.Printing took place from 24 October to 2 November, under observation of ECN officials, two political parties and the Namibian Police, before the ballot papers were securely packaged and flown to Namibia on 3 November.“The commission established stringent criteria to ensure the quality and security of the ballot papers, including specifications for paper quality and advanced security features to safeguard the integrity of the elections,” Shaama said.The ECN maintained consistent engagement with electoral stakeholders through the Political Party Liaison Committee, he added.Updates were shared at various stages: the start of bidding in April, bid progress in July, contract award in September and allocation of ballot papers per constituency in October.All participating political parties, associations and independent candidates were invited to observe the printing process in Johannesburg. Those unable to travel verified samples at ECN headquarters in Windhoek. Shaama said, unlike in previous years, observers were required to cover their own travel and accommodation costs for the verification mission in South Africa.Key electoral activitiesWith ballot papers now delivered, the ECN outlined the remaining steps leading up to election day. Distribution of materials is scheduled for 4 to 17 November. Training of polling officials will take place between 7 and 15 November, followed by the issuance of duplicate voter cards from 17 to 23 November. Deployment of polling teams is set for 23 to 25 November, with special voting for officials and police slated for 24 November and polling day on 26 November.Voter education continuesNationwide voter education campaigns will continue until 25 November to ensure all registered voters are informed about the voting process.“We urge all electoral stakeholders, including the media, to enhance voter education efforts as we approach polling day. This is to ensure that every registered voter is prepared to exercise their fundamental right to vote,” Shaama said.Shaama reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to uphold democratic principles.“The commission remains resolute and committed towards ensuring free, fair, transparent and credible elections," he said, while calling on all electoral stakeholders to play a collective part in fostering a democratic electoral process.

ECN secures 2.7m ballots at N$4.9m ahead of polls

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Namibian Sun 2025-11-05

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ECN secures 2.7m ballots at N$4.9m ahead of polls

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Namibian Sun 2025-11-05

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