Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC) is taking a bold stand to safeguard the integrity of the country’s electoral process by reprinting ballots for the Volta and Ahafo regions due to discrepancies in serial numbers. Despite the financial implications, the EC believes the move is critical to ensuring a free, fair, and transparent election.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on November 19, Dr. Bossman Asare, the EC’s Deputy Chairman in charge of Corporate Services, explained that the decision prioritizes credibility over cost. The Commission didn’t think so much in terms of the cost as to the quality of the country’s elections, he emphasized.
Dr. Asare highlighted the potential risks of proceeding with flawed ballots. If the serial numbers are incorrect, a vote cast for a candidate could be invalidated. That’s a risk we can’t afford to take, he explained, adding that such discrepancies could undermine public trust in the electoral process.
Acknowledging the high costs associated with reprinting, Dr. Asare stressed that taxpayers would prefer a credible system over financial savings. We believe that the taxpayer will be more concerned about us having a system that is peaceful, credible, and transparent, he stated.
To ensure accountability, the EC will involve political parties, security agencies, and printing firms in the destruction of the flawed ballots. We will issue a destruction certificate signed by all parties present to confirm the process, Dr. Asare noted.
The EC has engaged additional printing houses to expedite the reprinting process, a move Dr. Asare described as necessary to preserve the credibility of the upcoming elections. For us, ensuring integrity so all stakeholders are satisfied is far more important than the cost, he affirmed.
The Deputy Chairman reassured Ghanaians that the Commission is committed to delivering credible elections, stating, Inaction would have been devastating. Imagine the fallout if voters raised concerns about flawed ballots it would erode confidence in the system.
This decision, though costly, underscores the EC’s determination to protect the integrity of Ghana’s democracy.
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