The National Peace Council’s Executive Secretary, George Amoh, has expressed the belief that the opposition of some Ghanaians to the Electoral Commission’s proposal to eliminate the use of indelible ink from the 2024 general elections is a result of the lack of trust in the institution. Amoh emphasized the need to earn the trust of citizens in order to ensure that the EC receives their full support and cooperation during the upcoming elections.
This statement comes after the EC announced on December 18, 2023, that there would be no need for indelible ink in the 2024 elections and beyond as part of measures to improve the electoral process and ensure a robust identification system. The decision has met with resistance from the Minority in Parliament and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The Minority in Parliament has expressed its view that the EC’s decision to abandon the use of indelible ink for public elections breaches the 1992 Constitution. Similarly, the NDC has raised concerns that discontinuing the use of indelible ink will open the floodgates for nefarious activities that could compromise the integrity of the electoral process.
Specifically, NDC National Chairman, Mr. Johnson Aseidu Nketia, pointed out that indelible ink serves as a multi-layered tried and tested verification system that adds credibility to Ghana’s electoral process. He also highlighted the importance of indelible ink in preventing multiple voting and identifying voters in the event of a malfunction with the Biometric Verification Devices (BVD).
The concerns raised by both the National Peace Council and opposition parties underscore the significance of trust and transparency in the electoral process. With the 2024 elections on the horizon, it is crucial for the Electoral Commission to address these concerns and work towards building confidence and cooperation among all stakeholders to ensure the integrity of the democratic process.
