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The Electoral Commission (EC) has been charged by the Minority caucus in Parliament of violating the constitution by forgoing the use of indelible ink in the next round of elections.
This comes after the European Commission (EC) declared its intention to replace the ink that is typically put to voters’ fingertips to prevent double voting with more “modern” verification techniques.
As part of measures to enhance the electoral process, EC Chairperson Jean Mensa said that indelible ink would not be required in the district-level election or any more polls.
However, First Deputy Minority Whip Ahmed Ibrahim and Member of Parliament for South Dayi Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor claimed that the EC’s action went against a law passed by Parliament that is necessary for it to carry out its mandate effectively during a debate on the budget estimate for the EC for the next year.
“The issue of the non-use of the indelible ink breaches the law…Mr Speaker, you cannot come to Parliament with an instrument where protocols have been outlined and you as an administrative fiat decide that you won’t go according to the protocol.
“The use of indelible ink is part of the regulations that we put in the instrument for the effective performance of the Electoral Commissioner so, you cannot decide that you would not apply it. She must do things that will help her perform effectively.”
The Electoral Commission decided to phase out the use of indelible ink in voter identification as a way to prevent multiple voting, but the People’s National Convention (PNC) and the Great Consolidated People’s Party (GCPP) have objected.
PNC and GCPP representatives claim that the matter was never fully discussed at the most recent Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting that took place in the aftermath of the EC’s limited registration drive.
Deputy General Secretary of the PNC Farudeen Yakubu expressed surprise at the EC’s decision, saying it wasn’t discussed at the most recent IPAC meeting.
Mr. Yakubu emphasized that the PNC was not involved in any talks regarding the phase-out of indelible ink, even though its General Secretary and Deputy General Secretary were present at IPAC.
He claimed that before a decision was made, such a crucial issue ought to have been carefully considered.
On Thursday, December 14, 2023, during an appearance on Kwabena Bobie Ansah’s show The Citizen’s Show on Accra 100.5 FM, Mr. Yakubu contested the EC’s ruling.
The General Secretary of the GCPP, Citizen Ato Dadzie, expressed a similar opinion, saying that the matter was not on the agenda for the IPAC meeting.
Mr. Dadzie claims that the topic was brought up in passing and that Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, the Director of Electoral Services, was forced to clarify the EC’s intentions, stating that they were trying to lower election expenses because permanent ink prices were skyrocketing globally.
Mr. Dadzie demanded that the Peace Council step in and stop the EC from outlawing the use of indelible ink.
He emphasized that this choice, which is an important part of the electoral process, needs to be carefully thought through and discussed by political parties and other pertinent parties.
The two political parties have also disputed the decision to phase out indelible ink, claiming that there was insufficient discussion of the issue with political parties by the EC.
This dissent demonstrates the mounting apprehension and resistance to the Election Commission’s suggested electoral modifications.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
