Fred Tetteh, Deputy Head of Research at the Electoral Commission (EC), has outlined the key criteria for rejecting ballots during vote counting.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show with Bernard Avle on Saturday, December 7, Mr. Tetteh highlighted common voter mistakes that lead to the disqualification of their ballots.
He noted that ballots are rejected primarily due to improper handling by voters. The five official criteria for rejecting a ballot include:
- Thumbprinting Between Two Candidates: When a voter marks between the demarcation lines, creating ambiguity about their choice.
- Voting for More Than One Candidate: Selecting multiple candidates invalidates the ballot.
- Leaving the Ballot Blank: Failing to indicate any choice renders the ballot invalid.
- Writing or Signing on the Ballot: Ballots with a voter’s name, phone number, or signature are rejected.
- Missing Validation Stamp: Ballot papers without the required validation stamp on the back are automatically disqualified.
Additionally, Mr. Tetteh mentioned instances where voters damage ballots, such as cutting into candidate photographs. Such actions also render ballots invalid.
He urged voters to handle ballots carefully and follow instructions to ensure their votes count. These guidelines, he emphasized, are essential to preserving the integrity of the electoral process.
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