EC Under Fire: NDC Raises Concerns Over Ballot Printing Irregularities. Demand an Audit of Ballot Printing Houses’ CCTV Cameras – Ahmed M. Gedel writes

Ghana’s electoral Commission led by Jean Adukwei Mensah is facing intense scrutiny as the National Democratic Congress (NDC) exposes alarming irregularities in ballot printing for the 2024 elections. A recent incident at Innolink,where an NPP thug assaulted Richard Jakpa, NDC ballot printing supervisor, has escalated tensions.The matter is under investigation at Kaneshie Police Station, with Innolink requested to provide CCTV footage.

In the ongoing ballot printing for Ghana’s 2024 elections, the EC permits only one agent per political party in vast printing rooms.This contrasts sharply with the 2020 elections, where two agents were allowed. The reduced representation unfairly burdens the sole agent and undermines electoral transparency.

The key processes in ballot paper printing include serializing, cutting, sorting, stitching, binding, and packaging are vulnerable to manipulation. While National Security and National Intelligence Bureau( NIB) personnel who have no locus in the printing room outnumber political party representatives, casting doubts on the EC’s impartiality.

The NDC also highlighted several printing irregularities, including YASARKO’s contract cancellation due to printing struggles, Checkpoint Printing Company’s failure to print all awarded lots, FONSTAT’s serial number errors and Ghana Publishing’s machine breakdown on October 27.

To ensure electoral transparency, the NDC demands clarity on critical issues. The party requires ballot paper statistics for each constituency to ensure accuracy, timely access to electoral code books for informed oversight, and a transparent audit of CCTV cameras in all ballot printing houses. Furthermore, the NDC advocates for equal political party representation at least two during ballot printing.

California’s electoral regulations offer valuable insights into enhancing transparency in ballot paper printing.The California Secretary of State certifies ballot printers and finishers through rigorous testing and inspections. Vendors must submit applications detailing manufacturing processes, equipment, and quality control measures. Certified vendors include Election Systems & Software, Hart InterCivic, and Runbeck Elections Services.

Key Electoral Transparency Concerns
1.Limited Party Representation: Only one agent per party is allowed in vast printing rooms, contrasting with two agents permitted in 2020.

2.Vulnerability to Manipulation: Printing, serializing, stiching, binding, and packaging processes are susceptible to tampering.

3.National Security Presence: National security and intelligence personnel outnumber party representatives, raising impartiality doubts.

4.Immediate Plate Decommissioning: Delays in decommissioning printing plates obstruct thorough monitoring.

The Electoral Commission must address these concerns to safeguard Ghana’s democracy. Implementing robust certification processes, enhancing transparency, and ensuring equal representation will fortify public trust in the electoral process.

Ahmed M. Gedel