World News

A UK security printer is in the midst of one its largest runs this year, producing 43m ballot papers for the upcoming Kenyan general election.

The contract is another string in Smith & Ouzman's political print bow, after it produced 70m Nigerian ballot papers earlier this year.

The work for the 27 December election is broken down into three categories: 14.3m for civic; 14.3m for parliamentary; and 14.3m for presidential candidates.

Smith & Ouzman sales and marketing director Nick Smith told printweek.com: "The whole process is expected to take 21 days until mid-December.

"We are running a 24/7 shift on our Muller Martini Concept presses, with stitching taking place on our Wilstead and Boston kit."

Smith added that: "There are two project managers overseeing the operation."

Once the printing process is completed, the papers will be distributed to 210 Kenyan constituencies.

Smith said: "Each ballot paper is watermarked and incorporates various security design features. They will be delivered to Kenya using chartered aircraft before they are distributed to each ward."

The Eastbourne-based firm has been printing Kenyan ballot papers for the past decade and has previously produced papers for the Ugandan government and material for the Kenyan exam council.