Some ballot papers with duplicate serial numbers have been detected in Koforidua in the Eastern Region.
They were detected on Sunday, November 22, 2020, when the political parties together with officials of the Electoral Commission of Ghana were sorting the electoral materials.
The materials were for the Akuapem South Constituency.
The Akuapem South constituency secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Prince Etormam, commenting on the issue said “for the ballot papers in the presidential booklets, we noticed that the one which is in tens – instead of 142 pieces of the booklets we had 141 booklets which means there is a shortage of one. On the other hand, 50 of the booklets had duplicate serial numbers on the ballot papers. With the Parliamentary, there was shortage of one booklet with two duplicate booklets with same serial numbers on ballot papers”.
EC officials have since declined to delve into the matter except to say that the 250 ballot papers in 25 booklets with duplicate serial numbers which the parties have agreed to be put aside will not affect the numbers of ballot papers needed in the constituency since they were additional ballot papers.
The Director of Elections of the NDC in the Eastern Region, Baba Jamal Konney told journalists in an interview that the umbrella family with ensure that the duplicate ballot papers are either burnt or kept in police custody before the election materials are finally dispatched to the various constituencies so that it doesn’t create problems.
He commended the Electoral Commission for the transparent manner they have so far conducted themselves in the days leading to the general polls.
“We’re done with sorting. All the constituency booklets have been kept at the Police armoury at the Police Headquarters in Koforidua. Every political party has put its seal on the bags. On November 30, 2020, we will come and conduct the Special Voting then afterwards we come for the main booklets and check whether the seals and everything is okay. I think the regional Electoral Commission Director and her deputies are doing a good job. All the constituency electoral officers are also doing their best to ensure fairness. We are praying and hope that the way they have started will continue till the last day”, he noted.
The Eastern Regional Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Jeff Konadu, however, declined to comment on the issue.
