EC pushes for E-voting

Chairperson of Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC) and President of the Association of African Election Authorities (AAEA), Jean Mensa, has advocated for the adoption of electronic voting (e-voting) systems across Africa as a solution to the recurring issue of rejected ballots.

Speaking at the 9th Annual Continental Forum of Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) in Accra on Wednesday (12 March), Mensa highlighted the need for the continent to leverage technology to reduce human errors in elections and enhance the credibility of electoral outcomes.

“In this technological dispensation, we cannot continue relying solely on traditional paper ballots, which are prone to errors and misinterpretations,” she stated.

“A well-designed e-voting system can significantly reduce rejected ballots and ensure that every vote truly counts.”

She also called for stronger collaboration between electoral commissions, civil society organizations, and political stakeholders to introduce reforms that would improve voter education and the electoral process.

Delivering the keynote address, former Chief Justice of Ghana and a Member of the Council of State, Justice Sophia Akuffo, warned that the increasing number of rejected ballots poses a serious challenge to Africa’s democratic progress.

“Democracy is at risk when a significant number of votes are rendered invalid. It undermines the will of the people and erodes public trust in electoral systems,” she emphasized.

Justice Akuffo urged electoral bodies to ensure that the forum leads to concrete reforms rather than mere discussions, stating, “This forum must go beyond discussions and deliver practical solutions to safeguard our electoral processes and strengthen democracy across the continent.”

The two-day event, organized by the African Union’s Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (DPAPS) in collaboration with the AAEA and supported by the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES), is centered on the theme, “All Votes Count: Addressing the Problem of Invalid or Rejected Ballots in Africa.”

Speaking to participants, the AU’s Commissioner of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Patience Chiradza, reaffirmed the Union’s dedication to advancing democratic governance across the continent.

“If voters are unsure about how to mark their ballots correctly, we are failing them. Electoral commissions must implement clear and accessible voting instructions to prevent unnecessary ballot rejections,” she advised.

Founder and Executive Director of the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES), Fabio Bargiacchi, underscored the importance of international cooperation in enhancing Africa’s electoral systems.

“Learning from global best practices can help electoral management bodies design more voter-friendly ballot systems. The goal should be to make voting simple and accessible while upholding the integrity of the process,” he noted.

The forum will continue with expert panel discussions focusing on the causes of invalid ballots and effective measures to improve electoral systems in Africa.

Delegates are expected to exchange best practices, present research findings, and propose policy recommendations aimed at reducing ballot rejection rates and ensuring that every vote cast truly counts.