The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has begun destroying ballot papers containing serial number errors for the Ahafo and Volta Regions ahead of the upcoming elections.
The ongoing incineration exercise, supervised by EC officials, party agents, and security agencies including the Ghana Police Service, National Security, and the National Intelligence Bureau, is taking place at the Adepa Waste Management Center in Nsawam Adoagyiri.
Serial number errors prompt destruction
The defective ballot papers for both presidential and parliamentary elections were rejected by the Electoral Commission due to serial number anomalies. On November 16, the EC previously destroyed waste ballot papers and printing plates, a routine post-printing process. However, the current exercise is distinct, targeting specific errors on ballots printed by the contracted printing house.
According to a report by Ghana Web, an EC official explained the differences, stating, “This particular exercise involves the destruction of ballots rejected due to defects, unlike the routine burning of waste and plates at the South Industrial area. The commission is addressing a peculiar issue in this case.”
Measures to correct anomalies
To rectify the errors, the EC has ordered a reprint of the defective ballots. Speaking during an emergency Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting on November 15, Deputy Commissioner for Operations Samuel Tettey outlined the commission’s corrective actions.
“The Commission has deployed teams to oversee the reprinting process and address the anomalies. Ballot papers for the Ahafo and Volta Regions will now be printed by Bulk and Acts Commercials, respectively,” Tettey said.
The EC emphasized its commitment to ensuring error-free elections, stating that all necessary measures are being implemented to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
Supervised destruction ensures transparency
The destruction process, involving multiple oversight parties, aims to maintain transparency and public confidence in the elections. Videos of the burning exercise have surfaced, showcasing the meticulous steps being taken by the EC to prevent defective ballots from reaching polling stations.
This proactive step underscores the EC’s focus on accountability and its dedication to fair elections across Ghana.
