TIG Post

Tag: Ballot

  • Ballots set on fire in Dome-Kwabenya over invalidity

    Ballots set on fire in Dome-Kwabenya over invalidity

    There has been a disturbance in the Dome-Kwabenya Constituency as some individuals reportedly set fire to ballot papers being transported to the collation center.

    The individuals have claimed that the ballots have not been properly stamped and are thus invalid.

    The situation has created significant tension in the area, with calls for military reinforcements to restore order. Police forces are currently on the ground, attempting to control the escalating situation and ensure the safety of the public and election officials.

    In a viral video the group can be seen setting fire to the ballots. Meanwhile, this claim has yet to be verified by electoral authorities.

  • Only 50% of voters have casted their ballot as at 2pm

    Only 50% of voters have casted their ballot as at 2pm

    The Electoral Commission (EC) reported that as of 2pm, about 50% of electorates over 18 million in number had cast their ballots.

    Stakeholders have lamented about the low voter turnout in this year’s elections.

    In October, the Electoral Commission (EC) expressed optimism about improving voter turnout in this year’s elections.

    While several polls have suggested potential voter apathy, Dr. Bossman Asare, the Deputy Chair of the Commission in Charge of Corporate Services, confidently stated at a Democracy and Governance Forum hosted by the West Africa Democracy Radio in Accra that the EC is determined to surpass the 79% turnout recorded in the 2020 elections.

    “As far as the Electoral Commission is concerned, we were ready for the elections yesterday,” Dr. Asare said. “We believe that with the measures we have put in place, Ghana is set for another successful general election.”

    He emphasised the importance of encouraging citizens to participate in the electoral process.

    “In 2020, we recorded a turnout of just over 79%. This year, we aim to exceed that. We expect every registered voter to go out and exercise their right to vote,” he added.

    However, the EC has noted that polls will be closed when the last electorate who was in the queue before 5pm cast his or her ballot.

  • Koforidua: Broken electoral seal issue resolved, materials intact – Police

    Koforidua: Broken electoral seal issue resolved, materials intact – Police

    The Ghana Police Service has reported that the issue involving a broken seal on a bag of electoral materials in Koforidua, destined for a constituency in the Eastern Region, has been successfully resolved.

    Reports had suggested that the seal was found broken when the materials were removed from the armoury. The break occurred during the packing and unpacking process.

    However, in an official press statement, the police assured the public that the contents of the bag remain intact and confirmed that the broken seal has been also been retrieved.

    “The Ghana Police Service wishes to inform the public that an incident involving the broken seal of one electoral material bag in Koforidua, intended for distribution to one of the constituencies within the Eastern Region, has been successfully resolved.

    “It has been revealed that when the bags were removed from the armoury, one of the seals was found to be off. It has been established that this occurred as a result of the packing and unpacking of the bags.

    “The broken seal has been found and the contents of the bag have been confirmed to be intact by the stakeholders, including the Electoral Commission and representatives of the political parties who witnessed the incident,” parts of the statement read.

    Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission (EC), in collaboration with political party representatives, verified that the bag’s contents were intact and untampered with.

    The matter has been fully addressed, with stakeholders reassured of the integrity and security of the electoral materials.



  • EC reprinting ballot pappers for Ahafo, Volta regions

    EC reprinting ballot pappers for Ahafo, Volta regions

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced the reprinting of ballot papers for the Ahafo and Volta Regions following challenges with the serialisation process during the ongoing preparations for the 2024 general elections.

    In a statement issued on November 15, 2024, the EC disclosed that its internal audit of the printing process identified discrepancies in the automated system responsible for generating sequential serial numbers on the ballot papers. To address the issue, the Printing House responsible had resorted to a manual system to fill the gaps, but the EC determined this approach was not sufficiently reliable.

    “Upon further assessment, the Commission decided that the manual system was not fool-proof and could therefore not be relied upon to produce an accurate serialisation of the ballots,” the statement read.

    The EC informed political parties of its decision at an emergency Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting held on November 15. The reprinting will be carried out by Buck Press and Acts Commercials for the Ahafo and Volta Regions, respectively.

    As part of the process, the ballot papers initially printed will be shredded and incinerated, with party representatives present to witness the destruction and sign a Destruction Certificate to ensure transparency.

    The Commission clarified that the irregularities were flagged by its own monitoring team stationed at the Printing House and later corroborated by its Audit Department. It emphasized that no political party raised concerns about the issue, although their agents were present during the printing process.

    The EC reiterated its commitment to maintaining global standards and professionalism in all aspects of the electoral process, assuring the public of its dedication to delivering credible elections.

  • Would Akua Donkor’s passing change the ballot order for December Polls?

    Would Akua Donkor’s passing change the ballot order for December Polls?

    In the wake of Akua Donkor’s passing, the flagbearer of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), speculation has surged online regarding the potential impact of her death on the ballot placements of presidential candidates in Ghana.

    Many Ghanaians, particularly those active on social media, are expressing concerns about whether her departure could lead to last-minute changes in candidate positions.

    This heightened interest stems from the fact that political campaign content has frequently utilized these positions for branding and meme strategies.

    However, the Electoral Commission (EC) has made it clear that Akua Donkor’s death will not affect the ballot arrangements, as they have already commenced printing the ballot papers.

    Just days ago, the EC reiterated that printing is underway, and all candidates will retain their assigned slots. Any alterations at this stage would pose significant logistical challenges and incur high costs.

    The idea of changing ballot positions has gained traction following comments from the New Patriotic Party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, known as Chairman Wontumi. Weeks earlier, Wontumi had threatened to move John Mahama from position No. 8 to either No. 6 or 7 to assert his influence.

  • Printing of ballot papers not taking place on Oct. 11 – EC clarifies

    Printing of ballot papers not taking place on Oct. 11 – EC clarifies

    Electoral Commission (EC) has addressed public concerns regarding the release of ballot statistics prior to the printing of ballot papers for the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.

    The EC has assured the public that the printing of ballot papers has not yet begun.

    Starting Friday, October 11, 2024, the Commission will begin printing Notices of Poll for both the presidential and parliamentary elections.

    However, the Commission clarified that providing ballot statistics to printing firms, political parties, and all candidates will take place before the actual printing of the ballots.

    The EC, in a statement, reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, saying, “As has always been the case, the Commission will provide ballot statistics to the Candidates / Political Parties and all Printing Houses before the printing of ballot papers starts.

    “Printing of ballot papers will only commence after ballot statistics have been provided to all Stakeholders. The Commission will not depart from this practice.

    “We urge the Public and all Stakeholders to trust the Electoral Commission to deliver a transparent, credible, free, and fair election in December 2024.”

  • Secret ballot would have altered fate of anti-LGBTQ+ bill – Afenyo-Markin

    Secret ballot would have altered fate of anti-LGBTQ+ bill – Afenyo-Markin

    The Majority Leader in Parliament, Afenyo-Markin, has revealed that a significant number of Members of Parliament (MP) would have opposed the LGBT+ bill if a secret vote had been conducted.

    Speaking on GHOne TV’s State of Affairs with Francis Abban, the legislator disclosed that a majority of MPs were against the penalties outlined in the bill.

    Afenyo-Markin shared that many lawmakers were waiting for the Speaker’s decision to allow a secret ballot, as opposed to the usual voice vote during consideration. He explained that his call for a secret ballot was supported by numerous colleagues who preferred the anonymity of voting.

    The lawmaker emphasized that the issue revolved around the severity of the prescribed punishment, expressing concern about sending individuals to jail for their involvement with the LGBT+ community.

    He clarified that his stance was not a mere suggestion but a statement of fact, underscoring the importance of prioritizing convictions over political considerations.

    Afenyo-Markin acknowledged the risks associated with his position, stating that focusing on matters of conviction rather than electoral concerns was essential, even if it meant taking unpopular stances.

    “When I raised the issue of a secret ballot, it was actually a call from a lot of colleagues. Because normally at consideration, we use voice vote. So they wanted should the Speaker rule in my favour for a secret ballot then they will come in a slot in their ballot,” Mr. Afenyo-Markin stated.

    “I am not suggesting… I am stating so as a statement of fact, it is not a suggestion. I am telling you what it is. What’s the first rule of nature, reservation? It was a risk I took and I have said that I really don’t mind because if a politician is always thinking about the next election and not looking at issues of conviction, this is how I feel,” the lawmaker stated.

  • Maine becomes second state to ban Trump from ballot in 2024

    Maine becomes second state to ban Trump from ballot in 2024

    Maine’s Chief Election Official, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, has determined that former President Donald Trump is ineligible to run for president in the upcoming election in the state. This decision is based on the constitutional clause concerning insurrection.

    The central reason for this ruling is Trump’s alleged involvement in the events leading to the Capitol riot in January 2021. With this decision, Maine joins Colorado in prohibiting Trump’s candidacy on their ballots.

    This development puts the spotlight on the US Supreme Court, as it is expected to ultimately decide the matter. While Colorado leans Democratic, Maine’s more balanced political landscape makes this decision more impactful for Trump, who is currently the Republican front-runner.

    The Trump campaign has announced plans to challenge the Maine decision in state court. In the meantime, the decision remains on hold due to ongoing legal proceedings.

    Contrasting Maine’s decision, California has confirmed Trump’s presence on their Republican primary ballot. Courts in other states, including Michigan and Minnesota, have also recently rejected attempts to prevent Trump from running.

    Central to these disputes is the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution, which prohibits anyone engaged in insurrection or rebellion from holding federal office. Secretary Bellows’ ruling, extending over 34 pages, argues that Trump’s actions surrounding the January 6, 2021, events constitute a violation of this amendment.

    Despite her decision, Bellows insists it is not politically motivated but rather based on law and her duty to uphold election integrity in Maine. She expressed her hope for the Supreme Court to provide a nationwide resolution to this issue.

    Trump, who faces other legal challenges unrelated to the insurrection accusation, has seen his campaign and Republican competitors criticize Maine’s ruling. Campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung described Bellows’ decision as “election interference” and announced immediate legal action against it.

    This development has sparked broader political debate, with figures like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy expressing concerns about its implications for democracy and the electoral process.

    Legal experts and commentators anticipate that this issue, centering on the interpretation and application of the 14th Amendment, will ultimately be settled by the Supreme Court, potentially shaping the framework for future presidential candidacies.

  • Midterm elections results: Two days on this is where the races stand

    The ultimate outcome of the US midterms remains unclear nearly two days after polls closed, with control of Congress still hanging in the balance.

    Control of the Senate now hinges on the outcome of three states: Arizona, Nevada and Georgia, where a run-off election will be held on 6 December.

    Meanwhile, the Republicans are inching closer to a 218-seat majority in the House of Representatives.

    President Joe Biden has hailed the results as a “good day for America”.

    Electoral officials have repeatedly described the delays announcing the final results as a normal, expected part of US elections due to thin margins between candidates, possible recounts and potentially contested elections. Additionally, rules differ by state for how mail-in ballots are counted, and when.

    As of Thursday morning:

    The House of Representatives

    The House of Representatives is leaning towards the Republicans, according to projections from CBS News, the BBC’s partner in the US.

    The Republicans have so far secured 211 seats, compared to 193 for the Democrats. A total of 218 seats are needed to gain a majority in the legislative body, which has 435 members.

    The Senate

    Control of the Senate remains a toss-up, with the Democrats having secured 48 seats to the Republicans’ 49. Three races – Arizona, Nevada and Georgia – have yet to be called.

    CBS has projected that Arizona is leaning Democrat, while Nevada could go to either party.

    Alaska- where three candidates were on the ballot in a ranked-choice voting system – has not been called, although CBS has projected it will remain Republican, with two Republicans – incumbent Senator Lisa Murkowski and challenger Kelly Tshibaka – in the lead.

    In Georgia, the closely-watched Senate race between incumbent Democrat Raphael Warnock and Republican Herschel Walker will head to a run-off in December.

    With a third-party candidate on the ballot in this week‘s election, neither candidate secured the 50% of the votes needed for a winner to be declared.

    In Arizona, hundreds of thousands of ballots remained uncounted as of Wednesday night, including an estimated 400,000 in Maricopa County and approximately 159,000 in Pima County, where officials have said that a final count is unlikely until early next week.

    In addition to a hotly contested Senate race between Democrat Mark Kelly and Republican Blake Masters, the state is host to a high-profile match-up for governor between Democrat Katie Hobbs and Donald Trump-backed Republican Kari Lake.

    Votes are still also being tabulated in Nevada,where thousands of ballots – nearly 60,000 – still needed to be processed.

    Even with results still being calculated on Wednesday, US President Joe Biden said the election was a “good day” for US democracy. An expected ‘red wave’ of resounding Republican victories failed to materialise despite high inflation and relatively low approval ratings for the Biden administration.

    Source: BBC.com 

  • Adansi North NDC Constituency elections: Four fined GHS6k for disturbances

    The four destroyed chairs and other properties belonging to the Nana Abu Bonsra Primary School, which was the venue for the elections while the ballot was being counted.

    Four persons who were arrested in connection with the disturbances that occurred during the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Constituency elections in Adansi North, have been convicted.

    The four, Adjei Evans, Kingord Anku, Francis Amoah and Akwesi Aquah, were also fined GHS 6000 each, by the Bekwai Circuit court, or in default serve three months imprisonment when they appeared before the court, Tuesday, 25 October 2022.

    The four destroyed chairs and other properties belonging to the Nana Abu Bonsra Primary School, which was the venue for the elections while the ballot was being counted.

    They were arrested on Sunday, 23 October 2022.

    They were arraigned today, convicted and fined.

     

  • Election 2020: Party policies influenced the voting pattern of Ghanaians Survey

    The European Public Policy Institute (EPPI), a research organization that focuses on political and social developments in Africa, Asia and the Americas, says the Ghanaian electorate was influenced by policy considerations during December 7, 2020, elections.

    The EPPI drew this conclusion after a survey conducted in January 2021.

    In a report by Asaase Radio sighted by GhanaWeb, the research which has just been released was based on a nationally representative sample of 1,258 eligible responses from all 16 regions, with a margin of error of plus or minus three per cent (+/- 3%).

    “The answers by respondents to the survey showed that the policies of the political party or government, the political party on its own as an entity, and the personality of particular presidential candidates were the three factors which influenced whom they decided eventually to vote for,” Asaase Radio reported.

    “The survey also looked at whom the probable candidates of the two main political parties, the NPP and the NDC, are likely to be in 2024 and which of them stand a better chance of winning the election.”

    Ghana has an illiterate population of 85 per cent.

    Thus, the implications of the research are important because they speak to the means by which the electorate gets public education on policies/issues, and what those media/platforms are churning out.

    The European Public Policy Institute (EPPI) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to fostering global integration through analysis and debate.

    It supports and challenges decision-makers at all levels to make informed decisions based on sound research and analysis, and provides a platform for engaging partners, stakeholders and citizens in the debate about the future of the developing world.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com