The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced its decision to abandon plans to eliminate the use of indelible ink in the upcoming 2024 elections.
The decision follows widespread objections from Ghanaians and various political parties, prompting the EC to reconsider its stance in the interest of building trust and consensus ahead of the polls.
Dr. Eric Asare Bossman, the Deputy Electoral Commissioner in charge of Corporate Services, acknowledged the concerns raised by the public, parliamentarians and political parties. He emphasized the importance of instilling confidence in the electoral process and stated that if the use of indelible ink contributes to greater trust, then it should be retained.
The decision to abandon the use of indelible ink had sparked controversy, with the Minority caucus in Parliament accusing the EC of breaching the constitution and regulations governing the electoral process.
Members of Parliament from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) argued that the move contravened established protocols and undermined the effectiveness of the Electoral Commission.
However, EC Chair Jean Mensa had defended the decision, citing the adoption of biometric technology as a more reliable means of verification. She explained that the biometric system prevents double voting by registering voters’ information once they have been verified and cast their ballots.
Despite the EC’s assurances, the opposition party continued to oppose the proposal, urging the Commission to reconsider its stance.
The Deputy Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Eric Asare Bossman, reiterated the EC’s commitment to improving the electoral process and avoiding double verification in the general elections.