Electoral Commission clarifies reprinting of ballot papers for Ahafo and Volta Regions

The Electoral Commission (EC) has addressed concerns surrounding the reprinting of ballot papers for the Ahafo and Volta regions, emphasizing that the decision was entirely based on internal findings and not influenced by any political party.

In a statement, the EC firmly stated that its team stationed at the printing house first identified the serialization issues. The discovery was subsequently confirmed by the Commission’s Audit Department.

“It is important for the public to know that the challenges with serialization were brought to the attention of the Commission by the EC team stationed at the said printing house and also confirmed by the Audit Department of the Commission,” the EC clarified.

The Commission refuted claims that the issue was flagged by any political party, including the National Democratic Congress (NDC). “No political party, whether formally or informally, notified the Commission about the challenges with serialisation at the printing house, even though their agents were present throughout the process,” the statement read.

The EC underscored that the decision to reprint the ballots was based solely on its internal procedures and reports, dismissing suggestions of external influence.

The disposal of the affected ballot papers, the Commission said, was also in line with its standard protocols to ensure transparency and credibility in the electoral process.

This clarification comes amid heightened political scrutiny as Ghana prepares for its upcoming elections. The EC reassured the public of its commitment to conducting a fair and transparent electoral process.