Smith & Ouzman's Mauritania Elections
Smith & Ouzman Ltd has assisted in the democratic elections in Mauritania, after the African country’s second military coup in two years deposed the elected president.
S&O has now printed and delivered the municipal, legislative and presidential ballot papers for elections in the politically volatile country for three consecutive years. Following a restricted tendering process for this year’s election, S&O was awarded the contract to print the presidential ballots based on a competitive price and detailed understanding of the election process in Mauritania. As in previous years, the high level of security was maintained with the ballot papers being packed for polling station requirements, delivered by a dedicated AN12 chartered aircraft and escorted by a member of S&O staff. This time, however, there was an additional requirement to provide Mauritanian embassies around the world with ballot papers to allow for out-of-country voting.
Nick Smith, Smith & Ouzman’s director, said: “Our reputation, quality of work and ability to deliver on time has helped us secure these contracts to print for the Mauritania elections despite intense international competition. In addition to this most recent contract our global success this year has already seen the completion of new orders for organisations in Iraq, Lebanon, and Cameroon.”
The family-owned company first printed and delivered the ballot papers for Mauritania in 2006 following recommendations and advice from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Some 280 different types of ballot papers were required, ranging in size from A5, A4 and A3, printed on both sides in French and Arabic, and incorporating a number of overt and covert security features. They were packed for direct distribution to each polling station.
In 2007, S&O won the contract to produce the presidential election ballot papers after international open tender by UNDP. This election required increased security and a second round run-off election, requiring a total of three million ballot papers in two lots, with the second round election ballot papers being produced and delivered within five days.
Above: A woman casts her vote in the country’s third election in three years.
