The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana is conducting a crucial special voting exercise in the Eastern and Western regions today, Thursday, December 5, 2024, after a last-minute rescheduling due to concerns over ballot paper integrity.
Initially slated for Monday, December 2, the exercise was postponed after a defaced ballot paper intended for destruction was discovered outside the Checkpoint Printing House, the company responsible for printing ballots for the Eastern Region. This revelation, which raised questions about the security of the materials, prompted the EC to convene an emergency Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting on Sunday, December 1.
Though no irregularities were identified in the Western Region’s materials, the ballots for both regions were printed by the same company. The EC decided to recall and reprint all affected ballots to safeguard the election process. This proactive move delayed the special voting but underscored the Commission’s commitment to ensuring transparency and public trust.
The reprinted ballots were delivered to both regions on Wednesday, December 4, ensuring adequate preparation for today’s voting exercise. Jean Mensa, Chairperson of the EC, reassured stakeholders that every precaution had been taken to restore integrity to the process.
Special voting, a key part of Ghana’s electoral process, allows certain groups—including election officials, security personnel, and journalists who will be working on election day—to cast their ballots ahead of the December 7 general elections.
Polls in the Eastern and Western regions opened promptly at 7:00 AM and will close at 5:00 PM. Only those listed in the Special Voters Register are eligible to participate, with biometric verification systems deployed to ensure accuracy and eliminate voter fraud.
Votes cast during the special exercise will be securely sealed and stored at the EC’s regional offices under tight security. These votes will be counted alongside others during the general election tally on December 7.
The EC has emphasized its commitment to upholding a free, fair, and credible electoral process and urged participants to adhere strictly to guidelines while maintaining peace throughout the exercise.
This swift resolution of the ballot issue and the smooth conduct of today’s voting are expected to bolster public confidence in the Electoral Commission’s ability to oversee a transparent and credible election.
