The Electoral Commission (EC) has assured the public of its commitment to transparency and accountability in the upcoming polls.
This follows reports of ballot paper shortfalls in the Bono and Volta Regions ahead of the December 7 elections.
The Commission clarified that the discrepancies were discovered by its regional staff during routine verification processes, a standard measure to ensure accuracy in the printing and distribution of ballot papers.
In a memo addressed to political parties and printing houses, the EC outlined that this additional verification process is a crucial step to identify and correct any issues before Election Day.
The Commission emphasized that the discovery of these shortfalls highlights the effectiveness of its accountability mechanisms, which require staff at regional and district levels to review all received ballot papers and ensure they align with the statistics provided to printers and political parties.
“It is the Commission’s staff at the regional level that discovered these issues and reported back to the Commission as required. It is the Commission that ordered the reprinting of the shortfalls and informed the political parties. The Commission has nothing to hide,” stated Samuel Tettey, Deputy Chairman of Operations.
The EC disclosed that similar shortfalls were identified and addressed in the Greater Accra, Western North, Upper West, Western, and Bono East Regions. Political parties were duly informed in writing, and reprints were conducted to make up for the discrepancies. The Commission reiterated that it has consistently involved political parties in overseeing both the reprinting and the destruction of faulty ballot papers, underscoring its dedication to transparency.
The EC has criticized misleading narratives circulating on social media that highlight ballot paper shortfalls in the Volta Region without acknowledging similar issues in other regions. The Commission described these narratives as attempts to malign its reputation and sow mistrust among the electorate.
“Why would the Commission inform political parties in writing if it had anything to hide? The memo in circulation demonstrates the Commission’s resolve to operate transparently and accountably,” Tettey emphasized.
The Commission has urged the public to disregard acts of mischief and to seek clarity from official sources to avoid being swayed by misinformation. It assured Ghanaians that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the credibility and integrity of the electoral process.