Election Watch Ghana petitions EC for details of ballot printing contract

Election Watch Ghana is demanding from the Electoral Commission (EC), details of the of the contracts related to the printing of ballots and notices of polls for the December 2024 elections.

The group has filed a Right to Information (RTI) request under the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), is also grounded in Article 21(f) of the 1992 Constitution, which supports the public’s right to access such information.

Amongst the details the group is demanding from the EC includes the date the tender was published, details of the companies that bid, and the criteria used in selecting the final contractors for the job.

“Election Watch Ghana believes that transparency in these matters is crucial, given the significance of ballot printing to the electoral process,” portions of the petitioned stated.

This follows the EC’s Wednesday, October 09, 2024 announcement indicating that the printing of the ballot papers and notices of polls will begin on October 11 for the ballot papers to follow thereafter.

Aside from the procurement details,  Election Watch is also seeking a breakdown of the bidding process, the methodology used for bid evaluation, and minutes of meetings with political parties regarding final contractor selections.

The group further seeks copies of all communication between the EC and the shortlisted companies.

Source:onuaonline.com