The Electoral Commission has announced that Yasarko Press, one of the printing companies initially contracted to produce ballot papers for the upcoming 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections, will no longer be participating in this year’s printing process.
In a statement, the Commission indicated that Yasarko Press was specifically tasked with printing the Presidential and Parliamentary ballot papers for the Oti and Western North Regions.
Accordingly, this decision implies a change in the printing arrangements, potentially affecting how ballot papers are produced and distributed to these regions.
“In the course of the week, the Management of Yasarko Press indicated to the Commission that, one of their critical equipment for the printing of Ballot Papers had developed a fault”.
Electoral Commission
The Electoral Commission clarified that a mutual agreement was reached for Yasarko Press to step down from printing the 2024 ballot papers.
This decision marks a significant change, as Yasarko Press has been a trusted partner in printing ballot papers for the Electoral Commission since 1998, contributing to multiple election cycles over the years.
According to the EC, the long-standing collaboration between the two institutions has underscored Yasarko’s role in supporting Ghana’s electoral processes.
The EC further assured that alternative measures would be implemented to ensure the timely production and distribution of ballot papers for the 2024 elections.
The Electoral Commission also addressed recent claims by the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s Director of Elections and Information Technology, who alleged that the EC had engaged a printing house lacking sufficient capacity for the 2024 ballot production.
The EC emphasized that these speculations are unfounded and assured the public that all printing houses contracted for the elections meet the required standards and capabilities.
By clarifying this point, the EC aims to dispel any doubts about the credibility and readiness of the companies selected to handle the printing process, reinforcing its commitment to a transparent and efficient election process.
EC Reallocates Ballot Printing for Oti, Western North
Moreover, the Electoral Commission explained that to prevent any disruptions and uphold the integrity of the electoral process, it promptly reallocated the responsibility for printing ballot papers for the Oti and Western North regions.
According to the Commission, Buck Press has been assigned to handle the printing for the Oti region, while Acts Commercials will manage the printing for the Western North region.
This swift reallocation reflects the EC’s proactive measures to ensure that all ballot papers are printed on schedule, maintaining transparency, reliability, and smooth operations as preparations continue for the upcoming 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with trusted and capable printing houses to meet all logistical requirements essential for a credible electoral process.
“These two Printing Houses have demonstrable expertise and the Commission is certain that this change will not compromise the calendar for the printing of the Ballot Papers”.
Electoral Commission
According to the Commission, all political parties, as well as independent candidates contesting in the 2024 General Election, have been officially notified about this change in the ballot paper printing process.
The EC indicated that this communication ensures that all stakeholders are kept informed and can adjust their plans accordingly.
The Commission further indicated that by keeping political entities in the loop, it aims to foster transparency and maintain trust in the electoral process.
The EC also argued that the timely notification also allows parties and candidates to address any concerns they may have regarding the upcoming elections, ensuring that everyone involved is prepared for the changes as the election date approaches.
Meanwhile, the opposition NDC asserts that the Electoral Commission’s contract with Yasarko lacks proper due diligence.
The NDC claims that this contractual agreement reflects an attempt by the EC to collude with the company in order to manipulate the election outcome.
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