Indelible Ink is the main cause of spoilt ballots during voting – PNC

The People’s National Convention (PNC) has argued that indelible ink is the main cause of spoilt ballots during elections.

Speaking with the General Secretary of PNC Madam Janet Nabla on Plan BFM morning show NKOSUONSEM hosted by Obidehye Kofi Sekyi, Madam Nabla stressed that there is no need for indelible ink in the 2024 elections because indelible ink has been the main cause of spoilt ballot in past elections in the country.

She reiterated that biometric devices, facial recognition, and fingerprints are enough to eliminate indelible ink from the electoral process,

“In this  age and era, you still want to use the old system. If you claim you have digitalized the system then there is no need for indelible ink”.

Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission (EC) has backtracked on its decision to eliminate the use of indelible ink in the upcoming 2024 general elections, responding to strong criticisms from stakeholders, including the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Dr. Eric Asare Bossman, the Deputy EC Chairman in charge of Corporate Services, acknowledged the concerns raised by the public, parliamentarians, political parties, and civil society members.

He stated, “After listening to the discussions, we have heard the concerns of the general public, we have heard the parliamentarians, we have heard the concerns of the NPP and the NDC and civil society members so we have concluded that if by using the ink people will have more trust in the process, why not?”.

Dr. Bossman clarified that the initial intent was to eliminate double verification in the voting process.

He noted, “Last year we noted that we thought when you look at the procedures in our elections the idea of using the indelible ink is like you are using two layers for verification.

“The Commission said if Mr Evans. Mensah is coming to vote, then Mr Evans. Mensah will be verified electronically for us to know that indeed Mr Mensa has been verified so when you want to go ahead to use the indelible ink then clearly you don’t have confidence in your biometric register so as a result of what we suggested that it will be better if we do away with the ink.”