Chief Editor for UN News at the United Nations, Ben Dotsei Malor, has expressed concerns over what he describes as ‘worrying ballot paper irregularities in opposition strongholds.’

In response to the Electoral Commission's identification of ballot paper shortfalls for both the presidential and parliamentary elections in five constituencies in the Volta Region, Ben Dotsei Malor questioned the timing of these occurrences, raising concerns about the recent developments at the EC.

In a Facebook post on Friday, November 29, 2024, he stated that the Electoral Commission's release regarding the ballot paper shortfalls just one week before Ghana's major elections is troubling.

Dotsei Malor raised some critical questions, asking why the shortfall and recent issues with ballot reprinting appear to be occurring only in the strongholds of the opposition party, and not in other regions.

He contends that the sequence of events unfolding ahead of the elections cannot be attributed to mere coincidence.

“ELECTIONS - WORRYING BALLOT PAPER IRREGULARITIES IN OPPOSITION STRONGHOLDS :
1. How is Ghana's Electoral Commission issuing this press statement at this stage - with a week to go to elections?
2. Has this happened before? An acceptable occurrence in elections?
3. Why is this shortfall and the recent issue of reprinting of ballot papers happening only in opposition strongholds, and nowhere else?
4. Could all this be mere coincidence? Or …” he posted.

Background

The Electoral Commission (EC) announced a shortfall in the presidential and parliamentary ballot papers for five constituencies in the Volta Region: Keta, Ketu North, Ho Central, Hohoe, and Ho West.

To rectify the issue, the EC has stated that plans are underway to print additional ballot papers at Acts Commercials, a printing house in Accra.

According to the EC, representatives of all political parties and independent presidential candidates have been invited to observe the process, ensuring transparency.

Samuel Tettey, the EC’s Deputy Chairman of Operations, assured the public of the Commission’s commitment to a credible and transparent electoral process.

In an official communication, the EC stated, "The Electoral Commission has identified some shortfalls in the Presidential and Parliamentary ballot papers for the Keta, Ketu North, Ho Central, Hohoe, and Ho West constituencies.

“These shortfalls will be addressed by printing additional ballot papers at Acts Commercials. Political parties and independent presidential candidates are encouraged to provide two representatives each to observe the printing process on Friday, November 29, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Acts Commercials Printing House in Accra."

Read his full post below:



MAG/AE

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