The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has taken proactive measures to enhance transparency and public trust in the electoral process by inviting journalists to observe the printing of parliamentary ballots at three out of the six designated printing facilities.
This move, aimed at shedding light on the critical pre-election process, is designed to reassure the public of the commission’s commitment to a transparent and accountable election framework for the December 7 general elections.
The facilities selected for this media observation include Inolink Printing Limited, Buck Press, and Acts Commercial.
According to Dr Benjamin Bannor-Bio, the EC’s Director of Electoral Services, the printing of parliamentary ballots is currently in progress, while the printing of presidential ballots has been paused for ten days due to the passing of Akua Donkor, the Ghana Freedom Party’s flagbearer.
This temporary hold is intended to allow the necessary updates to the presidential ballot following Donkor’s death, ensuring the accuracy of all ballots when printing resumes.
Dr. Bannor-Bio emphasized that the printing process is conducted in a transparent, collaborative manner, with representatives from the various political parties on-site to oversee each phase.
“When we say transparency and accountability are in motion, we don’t just say it but we mean it. The Electoral Commission of Ghana is one of the few election management institutions in the sub-region that prints ballot papers in the country.
“For the 2024 general election, Buck Press, one of our major printing stakeholders, is handling the ballot printing for four regions: Ashanti, Oti, Savanna, and Central.”
Dr Benjamin Bannor-Bio, EC’s Director of Electoral Services
Active Involvement of Party Agent
In detailing the process, Dr Bannor-Bio described the active involvement of party agents who are positioned at each stage of the printing to cross-check details, such as serial numbers and the specific quantities allocated to each constituency.
The collaborative nature of the ballot printing process is underscored by stringent verification measures with Dr Bannor-Bio asserting that political parties agents not only observe but also document each detail, from serial numbers to constituency-specific quantities, which are openly shared with them.
“We open up to the public for you to know that we are doing it together with the political party agents, At every level, these agents are there, and they are observing to ensure that the right thing is done.
“They take notice of the serial numbers, they take notice of the quantities being printed for each constituency, and we give them all these details”.
Dr Benjamin Bannor-Bio, the EC’s Director of Electoral Services
In addition to the Electoral Commission’s official seal, the EC’s Director of Electoral Services pointed out that the political parties agents affix their own seals on the ballots and maintain records of each batch printed, adding another layer of accountability.
Dr Bannor-Bio’s remarks highlighted the Electoral Commission’s firm stance against secrecy in election management. “In printing ballot papers, there is no secrecy; it’s so transparent,” Dr Bannor-Bio stated, adding that the unprecedented level of openness is intended to dispel any public scepticism regarding the integrity of the ballot printing process.
The Electoral Commission’s invitation to the media to observe ballot printing signals a step towards increased transparency in Ghana’s electoral process, a vital move as the country prepares for the December elections.
The 2024 general election is just 36 days away, set for December 7, 2024, with several well-meaning Ghanaians anticipating to cast their votes in what is expected to be a highly competitive race.
Key issues, including the economy, unemployment, corruption, education, and healthcare, are at the forefront of political campaigns by both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the two leading political parties in the country.
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