The National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ghana’s main opposition party, has called for an in-depth investigation into the alleged breach of electoral security that led to a defaced ballot paper, earmarked for the Eastern Region, leaving the premises of a printing house contracted by the Electoral Commission (EC). The incident has sparked concerns about the credibility of the upcoming general election.
Ballot Paper Recall and Special Voting Postponement
Following the detection of the leaked ballot paper, the EC has announced the recall and reprinting of ballot papers for the Eastern and Western Regions. The Commission’s Chairperson, Jean Mensa, disclosed at an emergency press briefing on Sunday, December 1, that this step was necessary to maintain the integrity of the election process.
The affected regions’ Special Voting exercise, initially scheduled for December 2, has been postponed to Thursday, December 5, to allow time for the reprinting and secure redistribution of the ballots.
The EC confirmed that the compromised ballot paper, intended for destruction, had been improperly removed from Checkpoint Printing Limited, a firm working with the Commission since 1992.
NDC and PNC Call for Accountability
While political parties have largely supported the EC’s decision to recall and reprint the ballots, both the NDC and the People’s National Convention (PNC) are demanding a full-scale investigation.
NDC’s Concerns
Dr. Omane Boamah, Director of Elections for the NDC, expressed serious concerns about the implications of the breach, calling it a significant threat to the credibility of the election. Speaking to Joy News, Dr. Boamah emphasized that while the reprinting of ballots mitigates some risks, it does not entirely eliminate doubts about the security of the process.
He questioned why no arrests had been made regarding the breach, asking, “Were there arrests by the National Security or Police? Are any individuals in custody for this incident?”
Dr. Boamah urged agencies like the National Investigation Bureau (NIB), Police Service, and Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to reveal whether any suspects have been detained or identified. He further called for public disclosure to ensure transparency and rebuild trust.
PNC’s Standpoint
Samson Awingobit, National Chairman of the PNC, echoed these sentiments, stating that simply destroying the compromised ballot papers is not enough. He demanded that a thorough investigation be conducted to identify and prosecute those responsible.
Awingobit also urged the EC to maintain transparency throughout the election process to protect its image and inspire confidence among Ghanaians.
Mounting Challenges for the Electoral Commission
This latest incident adds to a series of challenges the EC is facing ahead of the December 7 polls. These include:
- Ballot Paper Shortages – Reports of insufficient ballot papers for certain regions.
- Serialisation Errors – Mistakes in the numbering and labelling of ballots.
- Seal Breaches – Cases of broken seals on ballot boxes, further undermining trust in the electoral process.
As tensions rise, the EC has reiterated its commitment to conducting a transparent and credible election. Chairperson Jean Mensa assured the public that all measures are being taken to safeguard the process. However, the demand for accountability by key stakeholders underscores the urgency of resolving these issues to restore voter confidence.
SOource: InsiderGH.com
