EC Announces Recall and Reprinting of Ballot Papers for Eastern and Western Regions, Postpones Special Voting

The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana, chaired by Jean Mensa, has announced a significant development regarding the ballot papers for the Eastern and Western Regions ahead of the upcoming 2024 general elections. Following the discovery of a leakage, the EC has decided to recall and reprint the ballots intended for these regions. This decision was triggered by a report from National Security indicating that a single defaced ballot paper had been mistakenly removed from the Checkpoint Printing Limited facility. This printing house, which has been a trusted partner of the EC since 1992, was responsible for producing the initial batch of ballots.

Jean Mensa explained that the defaced ballot paper, which had been marked for destruction, was improperly taken out of the facility, raising concerns about the security and validity of the printed materials. In response, the EC decided to take immediate action to ensure the credibility of the electoral process by ordering the recall and reprinting of the affected ballots. To address this, the reprinting will be carried out by Dark Press and Innolink, two other reputable printing houses.

Mensa made this announcement during an emergency press conference held on Sunday, December 1, 2024, where she further clarified the impact of this issue on the special voting schedule. Originally scheduled for December 2, 2024, special voting for the Eastern and Western Regions, which were impacted by the printing error, will now be rescheduled. The new date for special voting in these regions will be Thursday, December 5, 2024, just two days before the general election, which is set to take place on Saturday, December 7, 2024.

The EC stressed that this step is essential to preserve the integrity of the upcoming elections. In addition to recalling and reprinting the ballots, the EC will enhance the security features on the new ballots to distinguish them clearly from those that had already been distributed. This measure aims to ensure that the reprinted ballots are fully secure and cannot be tampered with, further reinforcing the transparency of the electoral process.

In addition to addressing the immediate issue of the defective ballots, Jean Mensa reassured the public that all political parties and candidates involved in the election had been informed of the situation and were in agreement with the decision to recall and reprint the ballots. This step, while unexpected, reflects the EC’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of electoral integrity. The commission has stated that all necessary precautions will be taken to ensure that the election proceeds smoothly, with the confidence of all stakeholders.

The recall and reprinting of the ballots have added an element of urgency to the election preparations, but the swift action by the EC has been widely praised as a necessary step to safeguard the election’s legitimacy. By taking proactive measures, the EC aims to prevent any potential disruption to the voting process and ensure that all voters, particularly those in the affected regions, can cast their votes with confidence.

As the nation prepares for the December 7 election, the public is assured that the EC is doing everything in its power to address this issue and to guarantee a fair and transparent election. The enhanced security features on the reprinted ballots and the rescheduled special voting demonstrate the EC’s commitment to upholding the credibility of Ghana’s democratic processes.

The decision to recall and reprint the ballots for the Eastern and Western Regions serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining the integrity of the electoral system. As the countdown to the election continues, Ghanaians are watching closely, confident that the EC is taking all the necessary steps to ensure that the 2024 elections will be free, fair, and transparent.