Accra, Dec. 28, GNA - The Electoral Commission (EC) on Sunday ordered all presiding officers to accept and count ballot papers with thumbprints made either on the photograph or symbol of a candidate. In a statement signed by Mr Christian Owusu Parry, Acting Director of Public Affairs, the EC advised presiding officers "to examine the ballot papers critically where there appears to be some imprint aside of the thumbprint.

"Where it is evident that the imprint has been made by an official pressing the validating stamp too hard, the ballot must be accepted as a valid vote." It said the directives follow reports that during the December 7 polls, some presiding officers rejected some ballots on account that the thumbprints were placed either on the portrait or symbol of the candidates. "All district and returning officers are to take note and bring this directive to the attention of the presiding officers before counting commences at the end of the poll," the statement said.