The Electoral Commission (EC) has invited journalists to observe the ballot printing process at three of the six facilities allocated to print presidential and parliamentary ballots for the upcoming elections on December 7th.
The printing companies selected include Inolink Printing Limited, Buck Press, and Acts Commercial.
Dr. Benjamin Bannor-Bio, the EC’s Director of Electoral Services, stated that only parliamentary ballots are presently being produced, as presidential ballots have been put on hold for ten days due to the recent death of Akua Donkor, the flagbearer for the Ghana Freedom Party.
He underlined the collaborative nature of the printing process, adding that political party representatives are present at all stages to verify critical elements such as serial numbers and constituency-specific quantities.
Electoral Commission invites journalists to witness ballots printing
“When we say transparency and accountability are in motion, we mean it. The Electoral Commission of Ghana is one of the few election management entities in the subregion that prints ballot papers in the country, and Buck Press is a significant stakeholder in ballot printing. Buck Press will print for four regions in the 2024 general election: Ashanti, Oti, Savanna, and Central.
“We’re here to inform you that ballots are not printed in secret. We open up to the public so that you know we are working with political party agents. These agents are present at all levels, keeping an eye out to ensure that the proper thing is done.
“They take notice of the serial numbers and the quantities being printed for each constituency, and we provide them with all these details,” he said.
He continued, “Aside from the Electoral Commission seal, they affix their own seal and keep records of it. So, there is no concealment in the production of ballot papers; everything is open and visible.”
The EC’s decision to allow media to watch the ballot printing is intended to increase openness and develop public faith in their processes.