December 7 election: Electoral Commission offers journalists opportunity to observe ballot printing

For the first time, the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has invited journalists to observe the ballot printing process for the upcoming December 7 elections.

This move, aimed at promoting transparency and bolstering public trust, allows media access to three of the six designated facilities managing both presidential and parliamentary ballot printing. The selected facilities include Inolink Printing Limited, Buck Press, and Acts Commercial.

Currently, only the parliamentary ballots are in production. The printing of presidential ballots is on hold due to the recent passing of Akua Donkor, flagbearer of the Ghana Freedom Party, which may impact the final candidate list.

According to Dr. Benjamin Bannor-Bio, EC’s Director of Electoral Services, the process is meticulously monitored, with representatives from political parties present at each stage to confirm essential details, including serial numbers and constituency-specific quantities.

He emphasized that the EC’s open and collaborative approach reflects a commitment to integrity and accuracy in the electoral process, a step toward reinforcing confidence in Ghana’s electoral system.

Dr Bannor Bio said “When we say transparency and accountability are in motion, we don’t just say it but we mean it. The Electoral Commission of Ghana is one of the few election management institutions in the sub-region that prints ballot papers in the country, and Buck Press is one of our major stakeholders when it comes to printing the ballot. For the 2024 general election, Buck Press is printing four regions; Ashanti Oti, Savanna and Central regions.

“They take notice of the serial numbers, they take notice of the quantities being printed for each constituency and we give them all these details,” he added.

According to him, “We are here to let you know that printing ballots is not done in secrecy. We open up to the public for you to know that we are doing it together with the political party agents. At every level, these agents are there, and they are observing to ensure that the right thing is done.

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