As Ghana prepares for the 2024 general elections, Professor Stephen Kweku Asare, a legal scholar, constitutional activist, and fellow in public law and justice at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), has called for intensified voter education to combat the persistent challenge of rejected ballots.
His remarks emphasized the need for targeted measures to ensure voter understanding and improve election outcomes.
According to Prof. Asare, Ghana’s history of rejected ballots highlights a concerning pattern, underscoring the need for continuous improvement in voter education.
“In 1992, rejected ballots constituted 3.6% of valid votes cast. This percentage dropped significantly in 1996 to 1.53%, demonstrating an improvement in voter understanding and ballot execution. However, in 2000, the figure rose slightly to 1.8%”.
Professor Stephen Kweku Asare, Legl Scholar, Constitutional Activist and CDD-Ghana Fellow in Public Law and Justice
Professor Kweku Asare further revealed that the worrying spike occurred in the 2004 elections when rejected ballots increased to 2.13% with the upward trajectory persisted in the subsequent 2008 and 2012 elections, with percentages reaching 2.4% and 2.3%, respectively.
He indicated that although the 2016 elections marked an improvement, with rejected ballots dropping to 1.54%, the 2020 elections saw another surge, with the percentage climbing to 2.33%—the second-highest in the period under review.
Ongoing Challenges
Prof. Asare argued that these fluctuations in the rate of rejected ballots reflect an ongoing challenge that demands urgent attention.
“We must do more to reduce the percentage of rejected ballots,” he emphasized, setting an ambitious target of reducing rejected ballots to under 1% in future elections.
He attributed much of the problem to gaps in voter education and ballot design, which he believes can be addressed through a combination of measures.
“Strengthening voter education campaigns is critical,” he stated, advocating for a nationwide effort to teach voters how to properly complete ballots.
Prof. Asare emphasized that a targeted voter education program could help reduce errors that often lead to ballots being rejected.
Simplifying Ballot Design
In addition to education, Prof. Asare highlighted the need for ballot design improvements, asserting that a clearer, more intuitive ballot design could significantly reduce confusion among voters.
Simplifying the layout and instructions on the ballot paper, he believes, would make it easier for voters to cast their votes correctly, minimizing mistakes that lead to invalidation.
Supporting Voters at Polling Stations
The Constitutional Activist also pointed out that election officials also play a crucial role in reducing rejected ballots.
He urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to ensure that polling station officials are well-trained and equipped to assist voters during the voting process.
“Election officials should be able to provide clear guidance to voters, especially those who may be confused or unsure about the voting procedure,” he noted. This hands-on support, Prof. Asare stated could reduce the number of spoiled ballots due to voter errors.
Proper Use of Indelible Ink
Another critical area Prof. Asare addressed was the proper use of indelible ink, which is applied to voters’ fingers to prevent double voting.
He pointed out that in some instances, ink smudging can inadvertently invalidate ballots if not used carefully.
“Indelible ink should ideally be applied after the ballot is cast to prevent any risk of smudging that could render a ballot invalid,” he explained.
By ensuring that poll workers are well-trained in the use of ink, Prof. Asare indicated that the security of the election process can be maintained without compromising the validity of ballots.
Prof. Asare, writing on behalf of the civic organization Governance and Good Governance (GOGO), expressed optimism that with the right measures, the percentage of rejected ballots could fall below 1% in the 2024 elections.
He called on key stakeholders, including the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), the EC, and political parties, to adopt this target as part of their election planning.
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