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The Electoral Commission (EC) has decided to reverse its previous decision to eliminate the use of indelible ink in the upcoming elections. The decision was made in response to widespread objections from Ghanaians and political parties.
Dr. Eric Asare Bossman, the Deputy Electoral Commissioner in charge of Corporate Services, announced the reconsideration during the launch of the Multimedia Group’s 2024 Election Coverage. He highlighted the significance of establishing trust and consensus among stakeholders in preparation for the December polls.
By reversing its decision and retaining the use of indelible ink, the EC aims to address the concerns raised by the public and political parties. This decision underscores the EC’s commitment to ensuring transparency and credibility in the electoral process by using widely accepted methods like indelible ink to prevent multiple voting or fraud during elections.
During his address, Dr. Eric Asare Bossman, the Deputy Electoral Commissioner in charge of Corporate Services, acknowledged the concerns raised by the general public, parliamentarians, and political parties such as the NPP and NDC. He stated, “After listening to the discussions, we have heard the concerns of the general public, we have heard the parliamentarians, we have heard the concerns of the NPP and the NDC and civil society members so we have concluded that if by using the ink people will have more trust in the process, why not.”
The initial decision by the Electoral Commission (EC) to abandon the use of indelible ink had faced criticism, particularly from the Minority caucus in Parliament. They accused the EC of breaching the constitution, citing regulations that were passed by Parliament to ensure the effective performance of the EC’s functions. Members of the opposition NDC, such as First Deputy Minority Whip Ahmed Ibrahim and MP for South Dayi Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, argued against the decision and urged the EC to reconsider.
EC Chair Jean Mensa had defended the decision, stating that the adoption of biometric technology would prevent double voting. However, the NDC rejected this explanation and called for a reconsideration of the proposal.
Dr. Bossman reiterated that the initial intention of the EC was to avoid double verification in the general elections. He explained that using indelible ink alongside electronic verification was seen as redundant and indicative of a lack of confidence in the biometric register.
The EC’s decision to reverse the elimination of indelible ink aims to address the concerns raised and ensure a transparent and trusted electoral process for the December elections. It reflects their willingness to listen to stakeholders and prioritize building trust in the electoral system.
