The Electoral Commission (EC) has clarified that Volta and Bono are not the only regions to experience ballot paper shortages for the 2024 general elections.
The EC has explained that other parts of the country are experiencing similar shortfalls.
The Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Bossman Asare, said this during an emergency Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting on November 29, following widespread concerns.
Dr. Asare explained that the political parties had been informed about the situation before now in two letters dated November 22 and November 28, respectively.
“The shortfalls occurred in Greater Accra, Western North, Upper West, Western, and Bono East Regions. The Volta and Bono regions were no exceptions. As in the case of the Volta Region, the political parties were informed in writing, and the reprint was done to cover the shortfalls in those five regions.”
“Why the noise about the shortfalls of only the Volta region? If the Commission has anything to hide, would it transparently call for a reprint of the ballots to make up for the shortfalls?” he quizzed.
With barely eight days to the highly anticipated election, Dr. Asare urged calm as the Commission works effortlessly to resolve the shortfall.
“The Commission urges the general public, especially political parties, to disregard mischief by persons whose only objective is to malign the Commission and sow a seed of mistrust and doubt. The memo in circulation demonstrates the Commission’s resolve to operate in a transparent and accountable manner.”
“We entreat the general public and political parties to read memos carefully from the EC, which may find their way onto social media, so as not to be swayed by persons whose sole agenda is to cause fear and panic and tarnish the image of the Commission ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections,” he assured.
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