The Electoral Commission (EC) has addressed concerns surrounding discrepancies and shortfalls in ballot papers dispatched to the Bono and Volta regions ahead of the December 2024 general elections.
This clarification comes in response to a leaked memo that has generated discussions on social media.
In a statement, the EC emphasized that the discrepancies were identified as part of its standard verification processes, which involve regional and district staff reviewing and cross-checking ballot papers against official ballot statistics.
This additional layer of scrutiny is part of the Commission’s commitment to transparency and accountability, ensuring that any issues are rectified before election day.
The EC confirmed that it was its own regional staff who discovered the shortfalls, which were subsequently reported and addressed by the Commission.
The affected ballot papers are being reprinted, with faulty ones slated for destruction.
Political parties have been informed of the process and invited to observe the reprinting and destruction procedures to guarantee transparency.
The Commission highlighted that similar shortfalls had previously been reported in other regions, including Greater Accra, Western North, Upper West, Western, and Bono East.
These incidents were also addressed with the full involvement of political party representatives.
Addressing accusations of secrecy, the EC maintained that its proactive communication to political parties about the reprinting underscores its openness. “Why would the Commission inform the Political Parties in writing if it has something to hide?” the statement questioned.
The EC urged the public to disregard misleading narratives aimed at undermining trust in the electoral process.
It reaffirmed its resolve to operate transparently and assured Ghanaians that all measures are in place to ensure the integrity of the elections.
The Commission called on citizens to remain vigilant and not succumb to fear-mongering or attempts to tarnish its image, emphasizing that its actions reflect a commitment to a credible and accountable electoral process.
