The Electoral Commission has cancelled its contract with Yasarko Printing Press Limited.
The company was originally tasked with printing presidential and parliamentary ballot papers for the Oti and Western North regions.
According to the EC, Yasarko Press, responsible for printing ballots for the Oti and Western North Regions, informed the Commission of a fault in their critical printing equipment. In light of this, both parties agreed that Yasarko would withdraw from the printing contract.
A press release issued by the EC reveals that this crucial responsibility will now be transferred to Buck Press Limited and Acts Commercials Limited, which will manage the printing for the Oti and Western North regions, respectively.
This decision follows mounting concerns raised by the opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The NDC has voiced apprehensions about the transparency and fairness of the election preparations, particularly questioning Yasarko Printing Press Limited’s capability and impartiality in handling such an essential electoral function.
The NDC had previously called upon the EC to provide assurances against potential ballot tampering and to enforce strict oversight of contracted printing firms.
As part of their efforts to maintain vigilance, the EC commenced printing notices of poll and ballot papers on October 11, 2024, amid heightened scrutiny from political parties and civil society organizations.
In response to these concerns, the EC’s Deputy Chairman in Charge of Operations, Samuel Tettey, emphasized the commission’s unwavering commitment to transparency and impartiality.
He assured all stakeholders that the EC will exercise equal oversight over all contracted firms to ensure the integrity of the election process.
The commission has reaffirmed that Buck Press Limited and Acts Commercials Limited will be held to the same rigorous standards to guarantee the security and accuracy of the ballot papers.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Dr. Bossman Asare has expressed his disappointment regarding the low number of female candidates participating in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
He highlighted a concerning gender imbalance in political representation, noting that only 120 women are contesting for parliamentary seats out of more than 800 candidates nationwide.
Speaking at a forum in Winneba themed “Enhancing the Electoral Process and Fostering Peaceful Co-existence,” he emphasized the importance of inclusive electoral participation and pointed out that, despite the Electoral Commission’s efforts to encourage greater female involvement in politics, such as reducing filing fees for female candidates and individuals with disabilities, participation among women remains disappointingly low.
He described this ongoing trend as “unfortunate,” stressing that women’s representation in politics is crucial for fostering balanced decision-making and ensuring that diverse needs and perspectives are reflected in national policies.
Furthermore, Dr. Asare articulated that low female representation in parliament not only hampers gender equality but also limits the broader socio-political progress that diversity brings to governance.
The forum brought together key religious leaders and representatives from various political parties to discuss critical issues surrounding the elections and promote a collaborative approach to ensure a fair and peaceful electoral process,
Read More News @ atlfmnews.com
Source: Anthony Sasu Ayisadu/ATLFMNEWS
