The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has said Fidelity Printers and Refiners was contracted to print ballot papers for tomorrow’s Presidential and National Assembly elections, while Printflow was given the mandate to print ballot papers for local authority polls.

The announcement was in line with Section 52A of the Electoral Act.

A total 6 150 950 Presidential, 6 150 950 National Assembly and 5 036 250 local authority ballot papers were printed.

There is an eight percent contingency in line with international best practices.

The Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe gave Zec authority to contract the two companies through direct tender in order to guarantee the quality of the ballot paper and minimise security risks.

“Fidelity Printers and Refiners (Pvt) Ltd located at No 1 George Drive, Msasa, Harare was given the mandate to print ballot papers to be used for the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

“Printflow (Pvt) Ltd located at Corner George Silundika Avenue/Epton Street, Harare, was given the mandate to print ballot papers to be used for the local authority elections,” said Zec.

“The Commission has printed a total of 455 244 ballot papers more than the total number of registered voters for the Presidential and National Assembly elections, respectively, and 446 206 more ballot papers for the local authority elections. This represents a total contingency of eight percent,” the elections management body said.

Zec said there were comparatively less local authority ballots because of the number of unopposed candidates in that aspect of the harmonised elections.

In 46 wards, candidates are unopposed and thus there will be no local authority elections there, while a candidate in Chimanimani’s ward 31 passed away and thus a poll for that seat will now be held at a later date.