By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The Electoral Commission (EC) says Yasarko Press, one of the Printing Houses contracted to print the ballot papers for the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections was replaced due to faulty equipment.
According to the EC, Management of Yasarko Press indicated to the Commission a few days ago that one of its critical equipment for the printing of Ballot Papers had developed a fault, hence the termination of the contractual agreement between the two institutions.
The Commission stated that it acted swiftly to contract Buck Press and Acts Commercials, respectively, to replace Yasarko Press.
The EC, in a statement issued and signed by a Deputy Chairman in charge of Operations at the commission, Mr. Samuel Tettey, emphasised that the speculation by the National Democratic Congress’ Director of Elections and Information Technology that the country’s electoral management body had engaged a printing house with questionable capacity is not true.
The two printing houses, according to Mr. Tettey, have demonstrable expertise, and the Commission is certain that the change will not compromise the calendar for the printing of the ballot papers.
Below is the full statement from the EC:
REPLACEMENT OF PRINTING HOUSE CONTRACTED TO PRINT BALLOT PAPERS
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. Yasarko Press was assigned to print the Presidential and Parliamentary Ballot Papers for the Oti and Western North Regions.
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.
All Political Parties and the Independent Candidates contesting in the 2024 General Election have been notified of this change.
Thank you.
Samuel Tettey
Deputy Chairman, Operations