The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has announced the cancellation of its contract with Yasarko Printing Press Limited, initially selected to print presidential and parliamentary ballot papers for the Oti and Western North regions in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
A press release dated October 25, 2024, confirmed that the task has now been assigned to Buck Press Limited and Acts Commercials Limited, who will handle printing for the Oti and Western North regions, respectively.
This announcement comes in the wake of concerns raised by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) regarding transparency and fairness in the election preparation process.
The NDC expressed apprehensions over Yasarko Printing Press Limited’s involvement, questioning the company’s capacity and impartiality to handle such a crucial electoral task.
The party previously requested that the EC provide assurances on measures to prevent potential ballot tampering and urged the commission to maintain rigorous oversight over contracted printing firms.
The EC began printing notices of poll and ballot papers on October 11, 2024, amid heightened scrutiny from political parties and civil society organizations.
The NDC had underscored the importance of vigilance in the ballot production process, particularly in regions with keenly contested seats.
The press release, signed by Deputy Chairman in Charge of Operations, Samuel Tettey, reiterated the EC’s commitment to transparency and impartiality, assuring stakeholders of its intent to provide equal oversight across all contracted firms to safeguard the integrity of the election.
The commission emphasized that Buck Press Limited and Acts Commercials Limited would adhere to the same rigorous standards to ensure the security and accuracy of the ballot papers.