The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has recalled ballot papers for the Western and Eastern Regions due to a defaced ballot paper incident.
The decision has led to the rescheduling of the special voting exercise for certain regions to Thursday, December 5. During an emergency press briefing on Sunday, December 1, Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson Jean Mensa addressed concerns regarding the recall of all ballots, despite the issue being confined to a single defaced ballot paper.
“Some have questioned why we would reprint all the ballots when it involved only one defaced ballot taken from the printing house. Our primary intention is to ensure and guarantee the integrity of the 2024 election,” Mrs. Mensa explained.
Though the defaced ballot paper was reportedly found outside a printing house, Mrs. Mensa emphasized that the incident required a broader response to maintain public confidence in the electoral process.
“It has not been an easy decision to recall all the ballots simply because a defaced paper was taken from the press. However, we believe this is crucial for ensuring the integrity of the elections,” she highlighted.
**Enhanced Security and New Measures**
To address this incident, the EC will collaborate with three printing houses—Buck Press, Acts Commercial, and Innolink—to reprint the ballots, incorporating enhanced security features.
“There will be new features added to the ballots, and the serial numbers will be revised to create a clear distinction between the previously printed ballots and the new ones,” Mrs. Mensa stated. The EC has also teamed up with security agencies and political parties to strengthen security around the reprinting process.
“Our parties have pledged their commitment to enhance security during the reprinting of the ballots,” she added.
**Impact on Special Voting**
Special voting for the rest of the country is set to proceed as planned on Monday, December 2. However, voters in the Eastern and Western Regions, including security personnel, election officials, and media practitioners, will vote on December 5 instead.
“We ask the special voters in these two regions to be patient with us. Our sole objective as a Commission is to ensure the integrity of the election in both regions,” Mrs. Mensa requested.
**Collaborative Effort for Electoral Integrity**
Mrs. Mensa thanked political parties for their cooperation, highlighting the consensus reached during an Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting.
“There has been general agreement regarding the recall and reprint of the ballots for the Eastern and Western Regions. We extend our thanks to the political parties and the agents of the presidential candidates for their support,” she stated.
As the EC works to resolve the situation, Mrs. Mensa reassured Ghanaians of the Commission’s commitment to upholding democratic principles: “We call on all citizens to support us in our effort to guarantee the integrity of the 2024 election.”
The reprinting process is currently underway, with the EC promising timely updates to ensure a transparent and credible election for all stakeholders.
