The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has been ordered to review and amend its tender for the supply and maintenance of the Integrated Elections Management System ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The Public Procurement Administrative Review Board (PPARB) found that parts of the tender document contained requirements and evaluation criteria that lacked sufficient clarity, certainty and objectivity, potentially undermining fairness and competition among bidders.
The disputed tender, IEBC/OIT/01/2026-2027, covers the supply, delivery, installation, testing, commissioning, support and maintenance of the Integrated Elections Management System, including related hardware equipment and accessories.
The procurement process was challenged by Galadirel Investment Limited, which filed a Request for Review before the Board on August 14, 2026.
In its decision, the Board identified deficiencies in several provisions of the tender, including requirements relating to hardware and technology ownership.
It held that tender documents must clearly inform prospective bidders of what is required of them and the criteria that will be used to evaluate their bids.
According to the Board, unclear or subjective requirements could undermine the constitutional and statutory principles of transparency, fairness, equality and competitiveness governing public procurement under Article 227 of the Constitution and the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act.
However, the Board declined to cancel the entire procurement process, finding that the deficiencies could be remedied by correcting, clarifying and amending the tender document.
IEBC has consequently been directed to review the affected sections and issue and publish a new compliant tender document.
The electoral commission must also give prospective bidders adequate time to study the amendments and prepare their bids, with the Board directing that they be given not less than seven days as required by law.
IEBC has further been allowed to seek technical advice and support from the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) while reviewing the disputed provisions.
The Board, however, made it clear that PPRA should not determine the technical specifications of the election management system, saying that responsibility remains with IEBC as the procuring entity.
The Board Secretary was also directed to forward the decision to the Director-General of PPRA for information, monitoring and any further action considered necessary under the law.
Galadirel Investment Limited’s Request for Review was consequently allowed in part.
