2024 Elections: EC to print 18,772,251 ballots from Oct 17

The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced its readiness to print ballot papers for the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.

In a statement released on October 14, 2024, the commission provided ballot statistics for the printing and indicated that it would produce an additional two percent of ballots to address unforeseen circumstances.

According to Samuel Tettey, the Deputy Chairman in Charge of Operations at the EC, this two percent increase aligns with the commission’s conventional practice for each election cycle. He explained that the ballot printing will be based on the total number of registered voters, with the additional two percent serving as a precautionary measure.

Mr. Tettey noted that the methodology of using the Provisional Voters Register (PVR) as a foundation, along with the two percent increase, has been a trusted approach since 1992. This method, according to him, aims to prevent shortages on election day while minimising unnecessary ballot wastage.

“The Commission is confident that the methodology relied upon, utilising the total number of voters on the PVR plus a two percent increase to guide the printing of ballots, is adequate and will not result in shortfalls or unnecessary wastage,” Mr. Tettey stated.

Meanwhile, EC Chairperson Mrs. Jean Mensa confirmed that the commission plans to print a total of 18,772,251 ballots, which corresponds to the number of registered voters on the revised provisional voter register plus the two percent margin.

“In arriving at the ballot statistics, we took into account the total number of registered voters on the revised provisional voters register and added a two percent margin. We are confident that the methodology applied will not result in any shortfalls,” Mrs. Mensa said at an IPAC meeting on Tuesday, October 15.

The ballot printing will commence on Thursday, October 17, 2024.