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The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced the postponement of the special voting exercise in the Eastern and Western Regions from Monday, December 2, to Thursday, December 5, following a scandal involving a defaced ballot paper.
Jean Mensa, the chairperson of the EC, disclosed during an emergency press briefing on Sunday, December 1, that the decision was prompted by a national security report revealing that a single defaced ballot paper, originally designated for destruction, was discovered outside the premises of the Checkpoint Printing House.
This facility is responsible for printing the ballot papers for the two regions.
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According to Jean Mensa, the compromised ballot paper had been earmarked for disposal, but its presence outside the secure facility raised significant concerns about the integrity of the election materials.
“To ensure the sanctity of the electoral process, the commission has taken immediate action to recall all ballot papers intended for the Eastern and Western Regions,” she stated.
The EC has since commenced reprinting the affected ballots and has pledged to enhance oversight measures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
The special voting exercise, which allows security personnel, election officials, and accredited media practitioners to cast their ballots ahead of the general election, will proceed as planned nationwide.
However, the revised date of Thursday, December 5, will apply exclusively to the Eastern and Western Regions.
Jean Mensa assured the public of the EC’s commitment to maintaining transparency and ensuring a credible electoral process. “We are taking this step to safeguard the trust of the electorate and the integrity of the electoral system,” she affirmed.
In her address, the EC Chairperson urged voters, political parties, and other stakeholders to remain calm and cooperative as the commission works to resolve the matter.
“We acknowledge the inconvenience this may cause to those affected by the postponement, but it is a necessary measure to uphold the principles of free and fair elections,” she added.
The EC has instituted tighter controls at all ballot printing facilities and has deployed additional security personnel to monitor the reprinting and distribution processes.
National Security, in collaboration with the EC, is conducting a full investigation to determine how the defaced ballot paper ended up outside the secure printing house. The findings are expected to be made public in the coming days.
While the EC has received commendation from some quarters for acting swiftly, others have raised concerns about the implications of the incident on voter confidence.
Civil society organisations have called for enhanced transparency in the electoral process, urging the EC to publish a detailed report on the incident.
As the EC works to rectify the issue, Jean Mensa reiterated the commission’s resolve to deliver a transparent, peaceful, and credible election. She assured that the rescheduled special voting in the Eastern and Western Regions would proceed without further hitches.
The general election is slated for December 7, and all eyes are on the EC as it strives to ensure the success of this crucial democratic exercise.
