The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has questioned the decision of the Electoral Commission to omit the use of indelible ink from the country’s electoral process at all levels.

The indelible ink introduced in 1992, is a semi-permanent deep blue-ink dye mostly applied on the pinky finger of a voter to show that he/she had successfully voted to prevent double-voting

Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Madam Jean Mensa revealing the decision in a media briefing ahead of the December 19, 2023, noted that the decision is prudent to ensure a more robust electoral process for the country.

Justifying the decision, the EC boss explained that with the introduction of biometric features in the voting process, it has become next to impossible for any individual to be involved in double-voting. “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,” she added.

The removal of the indelible ink officially begins with the December 19, District Level Elections.

The announcement has since generated controversy with several political parties including the main opposition National Democratic Congress, smaller parties like the People National Convention (PNC) and the Great Consolidated People's Party (GCPP) raising strong objections. The Ghana Federation Labour has equally cast doubt over the viability of the decision.

Speaking in an interview with Class News, Deputy Director of Elections of the NDC, Mahdi Muhammed Jibril vehemently opposed the new move by the EC. He argued that the move is a rushed decision which will fail in eliminating the phenomenon of double-voting.

Mr Jibril explained that the move is defective, especially with the presence of manual verification, where there is a risk of an unscrupulous EC agent conniving with voters for double-voting.

He stated that “even with the ink verification and everything people still go out and wipe their fingers and come and vote. With this assembly election where parliament has already approved the monies for the ink, would they return the money? At what time did the electoral commission know they won’t use the ink for the assembly election?”, Mr Jibril further questioned.

The Deputy Director of Elections of the NDC, therefore, insisted that the EC’s move was “rushed” and would ensure a lack of trust in the electoral process, urging for the commission to avail itself for checks and balances.