Assembly election: EC drops indelible ink for biometric tech

The Electoral Commission, EC, beginning from the District Assembly election today will not use the famous indelible ink that Ghanaians are used to during elections. According to the chairperson of the EC, the biometric verification is sufficient to flush out any attempts of double voting.

Addressing the media ahead of the local assembly election on Tuesday, Jean Mensah said the indelible ink was used because the Commission relied on photo verification. Now that the Commission uses biometric technology, she said they can take care of any person who attempts to beat the system and engage in multiple voting.

“The issue of indelible ink, the question is when we were not doing biometric we were basically using your face, your card. We look at your face and we say this picture looks like you,” she explained. 

Adding, “The biometric technology makes it difficult for a person who has been verified and cast their vote to come a second time. So, there is no need for indelible ink. Once you have been verified, it goes into the system and you cannot come back a second time.”

“Once you have been verified, it goes into the system and you cannot come back a second time. You can try it, if you wish at this election. Of course, it will be deemed as an electoral offence. Because of biometric technology, your facial features are recognised, or your fingerprint is recognised. You cannot go a second time,” she noted.

Ghanaians will today elect their representatives to the local government. Each of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies will vote for men and women to represent them at the local government either as assembly members or Unit Committee members.