Technological advancement in many parts of the world has become a turning point for many economies, including India. Technology in India remains the driving force of the country’s economy. However, India uses indelible ink to avoid double voting and uses the names of deceased people to vote in elections. The use of indelible ink in elections has nothing to do with technology. Before the ballot paper is given to the voter, the voter’s name is identified and entered on the voter list. The permanent ink helps election officials check whether someone voted and whether their name was entered incorrectly. This also avoids suspicion of those who have already voted.
According to reports, about 24 countries around the world use indelible ink in elections. The Philippines, India, Bahamas, Nigeria and other countries still use indelible ink to verify and prevent multiple voting and other irregularities. In fact, these countries are more technologically advanced than Ghana. However, despite the high level of technological advancement in these countries, indelible ink is crucial in voting processes.
Why does the Electoral Commission of Ghana, which called presidential elections three times in the 2020 general elections, believe that indelible ink used to control multiple voting should be abolished in future elections? Moreover, recent district council elections have been characterized by inefficiencies, including the failure of many districts to hold ballots to avoid similar irregularities in the future. However, the European Commission is interested in casting doubt on the integrity of our elections by removing the indelible ink.
Unfortunately, the EC was unable to deliver election materials to many polling centers in a timely manner or even get many candidates’ names included on the ballot. However, rather than working to improve its performance, it sought to sow doubt in the conduct and monitoring of free, fair and transparent elections. What happened in the county council elections was unnecessary and cannot be allowed to happen in the 2024 general elections. Otherwise, it will create tension in the country. The main mission of the Election Commission is to conduct transparent, free and fair elections. Any attempt to formulate and carry out any dubious actions aimed at undermining the core mission mentioned above is undemocratic and may lead to instability. It is important to note that the Election Commission does not have such powers to make unilateral decisions in elections. The parties must disagree to agree with the European Commission. Everything the EU does must be in the interests of the political parties representing the masses in IPAC.
The use of indelible ink has important implications for the voting process. The permanent ink stays on the skin for 72 to 96 hours. Although there are chemicals that can remove this ink from the skin, it remains on the fingers longer and may be detected if chemicals are removed within a day or two. There is no doubt that the use of indelible ink will eliminate dead votes and multiple voting. So why did the EU stop using it? Another incredible issue: during the district elections, the election commission was unable to provide election materials to many regions of the country on time. Why did voting end at 15:00? This proposal is poorly thought out and political parties should not allow it. The undeniable fact is that many more people will be disenfranchised, as in the last election many voters were still lining up to vote in many parts of the county when the polls closed (5 p.m.). If in past elections many polling stations could close voting after the stated time (5:00 pm), how could this be possible? The 3 p.m. proposal is not intended to deprive many people of their right to vote. Therefore, the function of the Election Commission is not to disenfranchise people, make unilateral decisions, conduct and supervise unfair elections.
The functions of the EC are to: provide input into policy development and ensure the development and implementation of electoral guidelines; Ensure that the boundaries of polling stations are defined for electoral purposes. Work with the purchasing department to ensure procurement and distribution of election materials. Ensure the preparation, revision and expansion of the voter list. Ensure the conduct and monitoring of all public elections and referendums; Ensure the conduct and monitoring of elections to state and non-state bodies; Ensure the development and implementation of gender and disability plans;
Post time: May-22-2024