The Electoral Commission of Ghana is currently in the process of printing parliamentary ballots for the upcoming elections. The printing of presidential ballots has been put on hold for ten days due to the recent passing of Akua Donkor, the flagbearer for the Ghana Freedom Party. Dr Benjamin Bannor-Bio, the EC’s Director of Electoral Services, highlighted the collaborative nature of the printing process. He mentioned that representatives from political parties are present at every stage to verify important details such as serial numbers and quantities specific to each constituency.
Dr Bannor-Bio emphasized the transparency of the process, stating, “When we say transparency and accountability are in motion, we don’t just say it but we mean it.” He also mentioned that Buck Press is one of the major stakeholders responsible for printing the ballots for the 2024 general election in four regions: Ashanti, Oti, Savanna, and Central regions.
The Director assured the public that the printing of ballots is not done in secrecy. Political party agents are present at every level of the process, ensuring that the right protocols are followed. They verify the serial numbers and quantities for each constituency and add their own seal to the ballots. Dr Bannor-Bio reiterated that the entire process is transparent and open to scrutiny.
Dr Bossman Asare, Deputy Commissioner in charge of operations, also addressed journalists, urging the public to ignore any misinformation or disinformation aimed at discrediting the EC and its activities. He reaffirmed that all measures are being taken to ensure free and fair elections on December 7th.
The decision to invite journalists to witness the ballot printing process is part of the EC’s efforts to enhance transparency and build public trust in their operations. By allowing external oversight and scrutiny, the EC aims to demonstrate their commitment to conducting fair and credible elections.
