Some voters participating in Ghana’s special voting exercise have violated the country’s laws by sharing images of their ballot papers online, sparking concerns over election confidentiality.
Despite Article 49(1) of Ghana’s Constitution, which mandates that voting must be done by secret ballot, photos of ballots have been circulating on social media.
The controversial images, which have since gone viral, include ballots for prominent figures such as former President John Dramani Mahama, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and Member of Parliament for Okaikwei South, Darkoa Newman. Disturbingly, some of the individuals who shared these images include security personnel and media representatives, who are expected to uphold electoral integrity.
Ghanaian law explicitly prohibits the public sharing of ballot papers to protect voter privacy and ensure the integrity of the electoral process. The circulation of such images raises questions about the enforcement of secrecy during elections and the potential impact on voter freedom and security.
The Electoral Commission and other stakeholders are likely to face mounting pressure to address these breaches as the general elections approach.
