With just days remaining until Ghana’s December 7 election, the Government Spokesperson on Governance and Security, Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, has raised serious concerns regarding the Electoral Commission’s (EC) handling of the election process, particularly over discrepancies in the printing of ballot papers.
In an interview on KeyPoints with Alfred Ocansey on Saturday, November 30, 2024, Boakye-Danquah pointed to troubling errors in the ballot paper printing process, including discrepancies in serial numbers in regions such as Greater Accra and Bono. These issues were reportedly discovered after the ballots had already been dispatched, prompting the EC to request the affected ballots be returned.
Describing the mistakes as “unpardonable,” Boakye-Danquah expressed alarm at the proximity of the election and the potential ramifications for public confidence. He compared the EC’s handling of the ballot paper printing to the highly secure process involved in printing exam papers, stressing the need for similar levels of scrutiny.
“I am very troubled by the behavior of the Electoral Commission,” Boakye-Danquah said. “In this country, when people are about to sit exams, the exam papers are printed in a highly secure environment, and there’s a process of verification before they are released. Why isn’t the same level of scrutiny applied to printing ballot papers? These mistakes cannot be allowed this close to elections.”
The concerns raised by Boakye-Danquah have amplified growing unease among political parties, civil society, and the public. With the election viewed as pivotal for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as they aim to elect Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the next president, Boakye-Danquah emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the process.
“This election is critical for the New Patriotic Party. We want to see Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia become the next President of Ghana,” he said. “The EC is the only body that ensures the proper conduct of the election, and it’s essential that the people of Ghana have full confidence in its ability to manage the process.”
Boakye-Danquah further expressed concern that the errors made by the EC so close to election day could undermine the credibility and transparency of the election.
“We cannot afford to have such mistakes this late. The Electoral Commission must act now to correct these issues,” he urged.
In a direct plea to the EC, he called for swift action to resolve the outstanding issues, warning that failure to do so could undermine the election’s credibility.
“We beg the Electoral Commission, please correct these issues now. The trust of the Ghanaian people is crucial, and without it, the election will be undermined. We need to make sure the election is free, fair, and transparent,” he concluded.
As the election draws near, all eyes are on the EC to address these concerns promptly and ensure a smooth and credible election process for all Ghanaians.
