2024 Elections: Why EC postponed Special Voting in Eastern, Western Regions to Thursday Dec. 5

The Electoral Commission (EC) has rescheduled the special voting in Ghana’s Eastern and Western Regions to Thursday, December 5, 2024. This decision follows the discovery of a defaced presidential ballot paper meant for the Eastern Region, which had been improperly leaked from the printing house.

Postponement Announcement
At a press briefing on Sunday, December 1, EC Chairperson Jean Mensa announced the change. “The special voting for Eastern and Western Regions will not take place on Monday, December 2 as planned. It will now take place on Thursday, December 5,” she stated.

Reason for the Change
The incident involved a single defaced ballot paper that had been marked for destruction but was found outside the secure printing facility. Rocheck Limited, the company responsible for printing the ballots, operated under the supervision of the National Investigation Bureau (NIB), National Security, EC staff, and political party representatives. National Security alerted the EC to the breach, prompting immediate action.

Jean Mensa explained, “The Commission was informed by the National Security that one single defaced ballot paper meant for the presidential election in the Eastern Region had been taken out of the printing house.”

Measures Taken
In response, the EC has recalled all ballot papers for the Eastern Region and initiated a reprint. Ballots for the Western Region, also handled by Rocheck Limited, are being reprinted as a precautionary measure. To ensure timely completion, three separate printing companies have been contracted for the task.

Jean Mensa emphasized the Commission’s commitment to transparency, noting that political parties are being kept informed throughout the process. “It is important to keep political parties informed about the leakage of this single ballot paper to maintain transparency,” she said.

No Impact on Other Regions
Special voting in other regions, scheduled for Monday, December 2, will proceed as planned.

Public Reaction and EC Assurance
The incident has raised questions about the EC’s ability to guarantee a flawless election process. However, the swift response and open communication have been viewed as critical steps to preserve public trust ahead of the 2024 elections.

The EC has assured Ghanaians of its commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral process. Further updates will be provided as developments unfold.