The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has addressed concerns surrounding the reported shortages of ballot papers in certain regions ahead of the December 2024 general elections. Speaking during the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting on November 29, 2024, the Commission outlined measures to ensure transparency and credibility in the electoral process.
Ballot Paper Shortages: A Standard Process
Dr. Bossman Asare, the EC’s Deputy Chairperson for Operations, clarified that the identified shortages were not unique to the Volta and Bono regions, as previously suggested. Similar issues had been discovered in Greater Accra, Western North, Upper West, Western, and Bono East regions.
The shortages were detected during routine double-verification processes carried out by regional EC staff. According to the EC, these checks are standard practice to maintain accountability and integrity in the election process. The Commission promptly notified political parties and candidates, inviting their agents to oversee both the reprinting of the ballots and the destruction of the faulty ones.
“The question is, who discovered the shortfalls and requested a reprint? It was the Commission itself, demonstrating our commitment to transparency. If we had anything to hide, we wouldn’t involve all stakeholders in addressing these issues,” Dr. Asare stated.
Reprinting Process
In a letter dated November 28, 2024, the EC identified specific constituencies in the Volta and Bono regions requiring reprinted ballots, including Keta, Ketu North, Ho Central, Hohoe, Ho West, Berekum East, and Berekum West.
To uphold transparency, the Commission ensured that all affected political parties were informed and invited to observe the reprinting process. Dr. Asare stressed that similar procedures were followed in other regions, and the issue should not be sensationalized or politicized.
Collation Officers and Transparency Measures
As part of preparations for the elections, the EC announced the appointment of collation officers in all 276 constituencies and 16 regions, selected through a competitive process involving the EC and the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS). These officers will handle electronic collation of results using an Excel-based system, working alongside Returning Officers who will conduct manual collation for cross-verification.
The EC also assured stakeholders that regional collation will occur at EC offices, while the national collation center in Accra will be announced soon. Political parties will be allowed four agents at the national center, two of whom can be present at any time. Accreditation will also be extended to media houses, domestic and international observers, and other stakeholders to ensure a transparent process.
Call for Public Confidence
The EC urged the public to disregard misinformation and focus on the Commission’s proactive steps to ensure free, fair, and credible elections. “Our processes are designed to enhance accountability, and we remain committed to transparency at every stage of this election,” Dr. Asare concluded.
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