The Electoral Commission of Ghana has assured the public that ending its contract with Yasarko Printing Press will not affect the schedule for printing ballot papers for the upcoming 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.
This clarification comes in response to concerns from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) regarding the transparency and reliability of the initial agreement.
The NDC expressed skepticism about Yasarko Printing Press’s capability to manage such a sensitive task impartially and urged the EC to ensure the integrity of the ballot production process.
In an official statement, the Electoral Commission noted that Yasarko Printing Press, which has printed ballot papers since 1998, informed the Commission of a malfunction in one of its essential printing machines.
Following discussions, both parties agreed that Yasarko would withdraw from printing this year’s ballots for the Oti and Western North regions.
Samuel Tettey, the Deputy Chairman in charge of Operations at the Electoral Commission, stressed that the decision to replace Yasarko was taken to uphold the integrity and timelines of the electoral process.
“The Electoral Commission announces for the information of the General Public that, Yasarko Press, one of the Printing Houses contracted to print the Ballot Papers for the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections will no longer print Ballot Papers for this year.
“In the course of the week the Management of Yasarko Press indicated to the Commission that, one of their critical equipment for the printing of Ballot Papers had developed a fault. It was therefore agreed by both institutions that Yasarko should opt out of the printing of the 2024 Ballots. It is important to state that Yasarko Press has been printing Ballot Papers for the Electoral Commission since 1998.
“Consequently, the speculation by the National Democratic Congress’ Director of Elections and Information Technology that the Electoral Commission engaged a printing house with questionable capacity is NOT TRUE.”
“The Commission acted swiftly by reallocating the Oti and Western North regions Ballot Papers to Buck Press and Acts Commercials respectively.
“These two Printing Houses have demonstrable expertise and the Commission is certain that this change will not compromise the calendar for the printing of the Ballot Papers.”
