The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has disclosed that it is tracking 2.5 million illegitimate ballot papers allegedly being printed by a political party. This was made public by the Director of Elections at the NDC, Dr. Omane Boamah, after the EC’s emergency IPAC meeting and press conference held on Sunday, 1st December 2024.
According to the EC, the decision to recall all ballot papers for the Eastern and Western Regions following the one defaced ballot that made its way into the public domain has been described as a difficult but necessary step to protect the integrity of the election.
Reacting to the defaced ballot paper that made its way into the public domain, the NDC expressed disappointment, stating that it is unfortunate such an issue should occur just six days before the election. Additionally, the party revealed that it is investigating claims of some 2.5 million ballot papers allegedly being printed by a particular political party.
Dr. Omane Boamah added that the NDC has not been informed whether the person or persons who took the ballot paper out of the printing press have been arrested or identified. The NDC demanded full disclosure regarding those responsible for circulating the ballot paper in the public domain.
After alleging and disclosing that the NDC is tracking the printing of 2.5 million illegal ballot papers, Dr. Omane Boamah refused to name the party involved when asked to do so by CITINEWS reporter at the emergency EC IPAC meeting.
According to him, the NDC will keep monitoring, and once it helps in the arrest of persons, it will publicly open up on the matter. He said this public information he has given should serve as a warning to those engaged in the act.
Reacting to the unfortunate situation and the decision by the EC to reprint the ballots, the director of elections for the NPP, Mr. Evans Nimako, added that the decision to reprint the ballots has been difficult but is ultimately good for Ghana.
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He called on the various print houses appointed for the reprinting of the ballots to do a thorough job. Mr. Nimako further urged the security services to step up their efforts. He indicated that the EC’s decision to reprint the ballots for the two regions underscores how expensive democracy can be if we are to uphold a credible election.
According to him, the NPP is ready to be on board at all times to ensure the success of the 2024 election.