Printing of ballot papers: EC replaces Yasarko Press following faulty equipment

The Electoral Commission has replaced Yasarko Press with two other printing firms following a faulty equipment during the printing of ballot papers for Election 2024.

Yasarko Press had been assigned to print the Presidential and Parliamentary Ballot Papers for the Oti and Western North regions.

However, in the course of last week, the management of Yasarko Press indicated to the Electoral Commission that, one of their critical equipment for the printing of Ballot Papers had developed a fault.

Following that, it was therefore agreed by both institutions that Yasarko should opt out of the printing of the 2024 Ballots.

The Electoral Commission has since re-allocated the Oti and Western North regions Ballot Papers to Buck Press and Acts Commercials respectively.

In a press statement dated Sunday, October 27, 2024, signed and issued by Samuel Tettey, EC Deputy Chairman in charge of Operations, the EC explained that Buck Press and Acts Commercials "have demonstrable expertise and the Commission is certain that this change will not compromise the calendar for the printing of the Ballot Papers."

The EC explained that Yasarko Press has been printing Ballot Papers for the Electoral Commission since 1998.

"Consequently, the speculation by the National Democratic Congress' Director of Elections and Information Technology that the Electoral Commission engaged a printing house with questionable capacity is NOT TRUE," the statement added in reference to a Facebook post by Dr Edward Omane Boamah last Friday.

Attached below is a copy of the EC statement

REPLACEMENT OF PRINTING HOUSE CONTRACTED TO PRINT BALLOT PAPERS

The Electoral Commission announces for the information of the General Public that, Yasarko Press, one of the Printing Houses contracted to print the Ballot Papers for the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections will no longer print Ballot Papers for this year. Yasarko Press was assigned to print the Presidential and Parliamentary Ballot Papers for the Oti and Western North 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. It was therefore agreed by both institutions that Yasarko should opt out of the printing of the 2024 Ballots.

It is important to state that Yasarko Press has been printing Ballot Papers for the Electoral Commission since 1998. Consequently, the speculation by the National Democratic Congress' Director of Elections and Information Technology that the Electoral Commission engaged a printing house with questionable capacity is NOT TRUE.

The Commission acted swiftly by reallocating the Oti and Western North regions Ballot Papers to Buck Press and Acts Commercials respectively. 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.

All Political Parties and the Independent Candidates contesting in the 2024 General Election have been notified of this change.

 

Writer's email: enoch.frimpong@graphic.com.gh