By Omar Bah
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) was yesterday locked in a frantic effort to evaluate the four companies in the bid to supply election materials. The Electoral Commission had recommended and wish to award the contract to Electoral Service International (ESI) despite some objections by the Gambia Public Procurement Authority (GPPA). Because of the impasse between the two, the IEC was forced to delay the start of the voter registration because the ministry of finance would not release the monies budgeted for the contract without GPPA clearance.
Last night The Standard learned from credible sources that the Commission was brooding over the offers and bid of the four companies
Our source said the four companies have made the following offers: The Electoral Service International (ESI) USD 2, 995, 000 and $89, 850, 000 as bid security; Ekemp International Ltd USD 2, 495, 580, and USD 100, 000, as bid security, Smart Business USD 2, 903, 955 and USD 90, 000, as security whiles Dermalog offers Euros 2, 428, 452 and 120, 000 Euros as security.
Our source said the IEC is expected to finish the evaluation of the bids and submit their report to the GPPA by today while the GPPA is also expected to finish their own evaluation by midnight today.
